Par-5 holes can be great for picking up shots during a round of golf. For long hitters, there can even be the opportunity to try and find the green in two whereas for other players, a good tee shot can set up an easy birdie chance.
However, having hit a good tee shot on a par-5 hole, how do you decide what to do with your next shot? Should you play an attacking shot or would you be better off laying up?
Today we are going to address those questions for you.
The main reason why many beginner golfers go wrong on a par-5 hole is through poor thinking. You must build a plan of what you need to do having gone through some simple checks before playing your second shot.
Frist thing you must think about is from where you want to be playing your third shot. Make you mind up as to whether you are going to for the green or not and stick to it. Based on this decision, everything else you do will fall into place.
Be honest with yourself and ask yourself the questions ‘Am I playing well today?’ If the answer is yes, then you can feel confident in playing an ambitious shot. If you have been struggling, it is probably best to avoid anything adventurous and lay-up.
Make a note of your stance. If you are facing an uphill or downhill lie, this will have an impact on the flight of the golf ball. Check your alignment and see what this does to the line you are going to be taking with your shot. If it makes reaching the green much more difficult, then it would probably be best to lay up.
However, sometimes the lie of the ball on a slight slope can help you get a little action on the ball which is needed to find the green. Make a sound judgement based on your intended line.
Even if you have decided not to aim for the green and instead have chosen to lay up, this does not mean you should take the shot for granted. Employ the same approach to a lay up shot as you would if you were going for the green. Accuracy is still very important and you want to leave yourself in the best position possible for your third shot.
Finally, if you are playing a lay up shot, do not hold back on the swing. Choose a club which allows you to make a full swing and maintain your regular swing speed, allowing the club to do all the work.
Commit to the choices you have made when playing a par-5 hole and do not allow any second thoughts to creep in. Consider all the points above and play your shot with conviction, regardless of whether you are going for the green in two or laying up.
Recent Comments