Golf Digest recently published a “Guide to Caveman Golf” for those people incapable – or unwilling – to overcome their “smash it and then go look for it” tendencies. If you are able to overcome your tendencies, you may score better as a result. We don’t advocate hitting nothing but your 3W off the tee, but do try to ask yourself a few questions:
- If you hit a 3W from this tee, do you still have a 7I or less into the green?
- If you hit to the fat part of the green instead of going at the flag just over that water hazard, can you lag and tap in for par?
- Do you need to make this putt, or would lagging one up there be sufficient?
- What’s more important: being closer to the pin or hitting the highest lofted club you might be able to get to the hole?
- If you go at this par five in two and miss the green, will you be in better or the same shape as you’d be if you safely lay up?
- Would you rather play your next shot from the trees again or from the fairway?
I think you get the point. Golf is a game of risk vs. reward. Being realistic about the risks – and the reward – is the key to playing smart golf.