Golf strategy is seldom written about. I don't know why this is. I guess it sounds like a boring topic compared to the "Add 20 yards to your drive in 2 weeks".... now you are talking! Let me out there!
Yet, as dull as strategy sounds, it can save you countless strokes, and give you specific direction the next time you are on the range.
Go to any "19th hole" on a golf course and you will hear countless war stories, blow by blow of where golfers messed up. "If only I didn't have that one bad shot, I would have had a great round!" Sound familiar. I call this the "if only" syndrome.
Don't get fooled into thinking it only happens to high handicap golfers. Golfers at all levels have experienced it... witnessed by the collapse on the final hole of at least two major tournaments in recent years.
Golf strategy is about matching your current playing ability to the difficulty of the course to avoid wasted strokes.
I want to make this statement to further the discussion on strategy. Wasted strokes during a round do not result from your inability, they result from "poor judgment".
Let me give you an example. You are 245 yards out from the green, in light rough. How would you play the next shot?
Without even thinking, most golfers would pull out a 3 wood, or 5 wood and take a swing at it because of the distance from the hole. Those of you who have a chance of getting on the green from this situation are very few. Even if you have the length, there is a very high chance that you would end up in a trap or some hazard around the green.
For the golfing majority, this distance requires a minimum of 2 strokes. Yet, most golfers would approach this situation exactly the same way, go for distance regardless of their ability. Let's take a look at the likely outcomes for golfers at different skill levels:
0 - 9 Handicappers:
First scenario: On the green in 1 with the wood - very few have this capability.
Most likely scenario:Short of the green or in a green side bunker with the wood, on in two with a chip shot or bunker shot.
10 - 18 Handicappers:
First scenario:Short of the green with the wood, 40-65 yard short approach shot to the green in two.
Most likely scenario: Short of the green with the wood in rough, missed 40-65 yard approach shot, on in three with a chip or bunker shot.
19 and Above Handicappers:
Most likely scenario: Miss hit 3 wood 50 yards, another 3 wood into light rough or a bunker around the green, miss hit bunker shot or green side chip, on in 4 or possibly 5.
Most golfers, when faced with the 245 yard situation fail to have a strategy. They take each shot as it comes, and deal with the next shot come what may.
Good golfers can get away without a strategy because they can execute a wide range of successful shots from many difficult situations. That takes hours of practice to be at this proficiency level. Not so for the rest, who are lucky if they are able to get in a single hour of practice a week due to the pressures of business or family commitments.
If you are in the latter category, recognize this fact and realize you have limitations with your game. If you cannot handle all situations with 100% confidence, you need to have a strategy that is designed around your strengths. Trying to execute a shot that is unfamiliar to you is "poor judgment". That's what destroys your scores.
To get you started in this process, think about the approach shot. This is the most important shot in golf from tee to green.
The preparation for this shot is vital. You need to position the ball in a good fairway location that gives you the best opportunity for a well executed shot. Coming out of rough, or carrying hazards or bunkers to the green are not examples of giving yourself a fighting chance.
Take a look at the following example to get your golfing minds thinking:
1) Decide that you will only use one of two approach shot strategies to every green.
either:
a. Short approach shot of 50 - 80 yards with a pitching wedge.
or:
b. Medium approach shot of 135 - 145 yards with a 7 iron.
2) Now when you go to the range to practice, your limited practice time is going to be focused on these two clubs only.
3) Set yourself an accuracy goal of 25 feet or less from a target, aiming to be consistent 5 shots in a row with each club. If you miss the target before you get to 5, start the count again.
4)When you are able to execute both these shots consistently within 25 feet, increase the accuracy goal to 20 feet.
Adopting these strategies and armed with the specific skills to match, let's see what they allow you to do:
1) You have focused your limited practice time to mastering those few clubs that will give you good scoring opportunities, instead of working on the whole bag and achieving very little.
2) If you are able to consistently get on the green using either of these strategies, you eliminate or reduce the need for a good short game.
3) If you can fire at the pin within 25 feet, you reduce your chances of 3 or 4 putting.
4) You can eliminate the pressure of using long difficult clubs that have a high chance failure, since your aim is not to go for distance, but to get the ball on the fairway within acceptable approach shot range, and in a position that opens up the green.
Armed with these strategies, let's review how our golfers would fare in the 245 yard situation:
0-9 Handicappers:
These guys have enough skills to make the green in 2 - No change.
10-18 Handicappers:
165-170 yard 6 or 5 iron onto the fairway in an open position for the approach shot. 75-80 yard short approach to 25 feet or less from the pin.
Possible strokes saved, 1 with high probability of good execution.
19 and Above Handicapper:
120 yard 7 iron out of the light rough onto the fairway. 125 yard 7 iron into the green clear of bunkers.
Possible strokes saved, 2-3 with high probability of good execution.
A little bit of logical thinking can go a long way to avoiding those wasted strokes. Develop a strategy and use it to direct your practice sessions and those "if only" conversations in the bar after your round will start to go away.
Think smart, good luck, and good scoring!
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