Can you give me some advice on course management. PLEASE?

Question

I seem to be able to pull off any shot on the driving range (no matts) / practice green/bunker but when it comes to the real deal... its bogies galore for me. =(

Help? What could I be doing wrong here. My iron distance are pretty consistent. Its just the long Par 4's that get me (cant reach them not even with a driver+3wood combo)

Im I losing shots coz im playing it too aggressively. Most of the time i choose the shortest diatance to the flag. =)

Advise would really be appreciated.

Thank you Vmuch!

Answer 1

Course management all revolves around the old adage" Don't bite off more than you can chew." Your normal shot travels a certain distance. With a shot a bit shorter one changes the club to a higher number or takes a less than regular swing to accomplish his goal. If there are hazards which have to be challenged, one skirts without incurring a potentially higher score by forcing a shot.The par shooter is trying to avoid bogies and the bogie shooter wants to avoid doubles.However when the proper situation presents itself each will go for the career shot in hopes of birdieing the hole.In essense, that is course management.

Answer 2

Dave Pelz had an article on this very subject a couple of months ago. The shortest distance to the flag can have some serious circumstances. There are certain shots that are go to shots that you know are going to work 98% of the time. If the shortest distance is a risky maneuver that's when you go to your go to shot. Perhaps it's a shot to the right of the green instead of at the flag. If it means the difference between par and bogie, you know which one is preferable.

On the long par 4 and you know you can't get there in two, then you should be setting up your second shot to a spot you know you can get it close to the pin on your third. If your short game is on target then a par should not be too difficult. Maybe a bogie is acceptable for this hole and then make it up somewhere else.

Don't get rattled when you do get a bogie. Focusing on a bad shot that was already made is one of the biggest mental mistakes that people make. This will only help to make more mistakes on future shots. Once the shot is made there is nothing you can do to make it any better.

Answer 3

It's simple. You aren't practicing enough on the golf course.

Have a good one...

Answer 4

Read the book "Golf by Design"  Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

By understanding the game of golf from the course designer's perspective, you can then figure out how to play against the designer.  And, the reality of golf is that EVERYONE plays against the designer, not the other players and not the course.  You play against the vision of the person who designed the course.

The book give great examples of how holes are designed, the tricks and tools a designer uses to make us take the heroic VS strategic shot (obviously your issue) and how the designer incorporates things like the prevailing weather/wind on each and every hole.

A great read for any serious golfer.

Answer 5

Course management is really pretty simple......If you can make a shot 70% of the time.....and the conditions are not terribly adverse....take the shot.  If you cannot execute the shot 70% of the time...you just play safe and lay up to a distance that you can hit a full wedge into the pin.  Its not rocket science but it durn near needs a degree in psychology to talk yourself out of trying to hit that Hero shot.   Remember Par is better than bogey

Answer 6

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that you're playing too aggressively and that you take the shortest distance  to the flag.  You have to play within your strengths...so if reaching those long par 4's isn't something you can do easily...look for the best place to lay up to...or where the best place is to miss your shot.  The key is to minimize the damage that can occur.  Give yourself a chance to make a par...even if it means having to make a long putt...its still better than going for the great shot, which is usually low percentage and will typically lead to a bigger number. It takes allot of self control, but if you know a shot likely isn't a high percentage shot that you can make...then don't try it...play safer and I think you'll see your scores drop.   Play to your strengths...and don't take too many unnecessary risks...they usually lead to big scores.  Bogies aren't bad...but doubles and those dreaded OTHERS will kill your score.