There are many complex elements to playing golf and some of them can be difficult to master. However, there are some aspects which are often over-complicated and that includes course management.
In fact, many beginner golfers do not have any course management plans in place before a round. Using some very simple course management tips can lower your score and we have some easy ones you can follow below.
Always look at the course map on the computer before leaving or on a GPS device while playing the round. If you cannot do either of these things, see if you can call into the golf club and take a scorecard home with you to analyse.
Doing this will allow you to be selective when you use the driver. Most beginner golfers will step onto a par-5 hole and immediately pull out the driver but if you have studied the hole beforehand, you can build a strategy. Look for the trouble and the biggest landing area on the hole. This may be a shorter distance than the driver so use a different club and get the ball in play while avoiding any trouble.
Following on from the tip above, do not be afraid to use your favourite club when the yardage suits. Look at the hole and think about where the best positions are for the ball to land, this could be from the tee or a second shot on a par-5 for example.
Is there an area and yardage which allows you to hit the ball with your best club? If so, why not take the opportunity to use it? You may be a little further back than other players but you are more likely to be in prime position on the fairway.
When playing towards the green, always look at the position of the pin. It always feels great to get the ball on the green but ignoring the position of the flag can prove very costly.
Firstly, if you are not having a great round with the irons, there is a chance you could miss the green altogether. Locate the side of the hole you want to avoid if you miss the green. This will be the side which has the hazards or where the hole is a short distance inside the green. Playing a chip shot from off the green to a hole which is on the short side is very tricky.
Secondly, when playing a shot to the green try and leave yourself an uphill putt as these are often easier than putting downhill. You can attack the putt when playing uphill whereas putting downhill is often a more defensive type of stroke.
A little course research before you play and consideration of exactly where you want to ball to land after each shot can go a long way to reducing your score.
Recent Comments