High handicap game plan - too conservative?

[Foxholer]

then, teeing off last match, my 20 hcap (coincidence?) partner spent some time discussing a plan about who should go first when, and how he'd use his shots....then, on the 3rd tee, his back went into spasm and he eventually left the course to see if he could do something about it! I went first - and last....

he came back at 10, and won the 2 long par 5 stroke holes with 5's

but the only thing that went to plan was the guiness! (well you could count the 3 wood, but not quite as I'd planned that!)

So you turn him into a jibbering wreck after only 2 holes! That's fairly impressive! :rofl:

 

[Scrindle]

I can't speak from a golf perspective - I tend to make shot decisions as they present themselves - but speaking generally no plan tends to survive first contact with the enemy (that old cliche!!). I imagine having a plan in the back of your head is great as long as you don't rely on it to a fault (and resultant detriment of your game).

 

[Simbo]

Forget that and use this...

(1) Hit the tee shot
(2) Forget about the last shot
(3) Forget about the score
(4) Assess the next shot and hit it
(5) Repeat steps 2 to 5

When assessing your shots, exclude any shot that you couldn't confidently pull off. If you're in trouble, take the easiest and safest way to get out of it, even if that means going sideways or backwards.

Don't chase a particular score on any hole. Play sensibly, play within your abilities and have fun.

If you set a plan such as yours, and you start failing to reach your target on a particular hole, the danger is you'll start trying to make up for it. Every shot on it's own merits is the best way to score low

I agree, I decide how to play a hole on the tee

I've tried to plan a whole round out like you say and tbh it was a waste of time, the odds of you hitting the ball into the place you planned a pretty slim. Sometimes you go to the course and it blowing a gale- plan screwed!!!
If you plan a par 5 for example to hit driver/7 iron to stop it short of bunkers then chip on and have a go at birdie, you hit a scorcher off the tee and it leaves you a risky 5 into the green on 2, do you go for it ???? Or lay up with a 9 and chip on????? This starts to repeat and before you know it you have a very indecisive mind!! Plan screwed!!

 

[Ian_S]

I've tried to plan a whole round out like you say and tbh it was a waste of time, the odds of you hitting the ball into the place you planned a pretty slim

Think I learned that the hard way. I couldn't even tell you whether my plan worked or not because I played so bad no plan would have helped.

Of course, it's possible I tensed up as a result of overthinking rather than just having a sensible strategy (4i off the tee) and then walking up and just swinging the damn club.

 

[Jack_bfc]

'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth' - Jack Reacher