course management for high hdcp players

[whetstone]

Today a friend and I were discussing how to turn in our lowest scores given the ability we currently possess. My contention is that staying out of trouble is the best strategy to play.
Meaning: I'm pretty accurate with my driver, but not long (240-ish), not good with long and mid irons (I tend to top them often enough to lose confidence), and ok in the short game. On a typical 380 yd par4, my best chance to not turn in a double is to drive, then pw, pw, to the green. A 2-putt gives me bogey, and the rare 1 putt gives me a par. I should be able to par the par-5's, and the par threes would probably split b/w par and bogey. That should allow me to come in just under bogey golf, mid to high 80's. As I work out the kinks with my irons, I could start getting to the green in 2 on the shorter par4's, knocking off a few more strokes.
Someone who gets in trouble with the driver could go 5w, 8i, gw to the green on par4's, and 5w, 5w, 6i, 6i on the par5's

[ArrrrJay]

For a high handicapper like myself, I try to use the clubs that I'm hitting best that day, if it's the driver, great, but usually it's not.

For me, the only reason to risk using driver is if I have a chance at getting to the green in 2, otherwise, I am only concerned with setting up my approach for 75-100 yards out. That could be a 5w/7i, or a Driver/9i, or 4i/5i. Whatever I am more likely to succeed in getting to the approach. At that point, it's all short game, you either have it or you don't...

Also, when you are playing around hazards, do not think about hitting the hazard, it will cause problems, instead focus on the target you're aiming for.

There are tons more tips out there, but these are what I'm working on at the moment.

[lumpuckeroo]

Nothing wrong with what you are suggesting but I would recommend making one of the long irons your friend. Pick one, like a 4 or 5 iron and take it to the range and hit it until it is your favorite club. Then work out all the kinks on the rest.

[whetstone]

I agree that one will never be a complete golfer until one is proficient at every aspect of the game. I still contend that most high handicappers could shave alot of strokes through course management that lets them play to their ability, while downplaying weaknesses.

Now, I have to go re-introduce myself to Mr 4iron... we have some catching up to do.

Nothing wrong with what you are suggesting but I would recommend making one of the long irons your friend. Pick one, like a 4 or 5 iron and take it to the range and hit it until it is your favorite club. Then work out all the kinks on the rest.

[Shindig]

I'm glad you made this thread. I'm amazed at how often I run into people who think course management involves drawing a driver off a certain bunker, then a fade off a given tree, and a tap-in putt. That may well work for a great player, but that's not course management for people of our level.

I like to look at what net-par is, and see how I can best achieve that. Then I look at what I need to do for actual par, and I go for the latter only if I think I am very likely to pull it off.

At our point, par-1 shots to the green and 2-putt is very respectable, as is green-side in regulation followed by a chip and two putts. The occasional save is what brings down our scores, and then short game really shines when you get better.

[microcrayfish]

When I mess up a drive and end up far back from the hole I always hit a club that feels comfortable even if it might not get to the green. I've seen far too many times various playing partners whip out their 3 wood when they're 210 yards out and just end up getting in worse trouble than they were in to start with.

[mdl]

When I mess up a drive and end up far back from the hole I always hit a club that feels comfortable even if it might not get to the green. I've seen far too many times various playing partners whip out their 3 wood when they're 210 yards out and just end up getting in worse trouble than they were in to start with.

This is the big one for me. I'm pretty long off the tee, so unless I'm having a horrible day with the driver, I rarely need more than a 7i on the second shot. But there's two shortish par 5s on my home course, and I've started saving myself a stroke or three a round by doing exactly what you said. I'll roll a drive to 270-280, then think sweet, if I mash my 19 degree hybrid I can roll this right by the bunker and up on the green. Then half my "good" shots are in the sand and the misses get me in WAY more trouble than if I'd hit a 6i or 7i and had a nice half wedge to try to get close enough to have a real birdie putt.

[Teesand]

The strategy for good course management is the same for all levels. The specific are different but the overall concept is the same. Play the hole backwards. Where do you want to be for the shot into the green whether that's the 2nd 3rd or even 4th shot on a par 4. Try and give yourself the easiest approach, even if its just a chip. Would you rather play a flop over a bunker or have the whole green to chip across?

[Shifty-50]

When I'm playing to bring in the lowest score, I like to work on playing the strengths in my game. Right now, my strengths would be my irons and wedges, the putting and 4w are mediocre, and the driver is my main fault. I've recently been able to leave my driver in the bag in places where I know it is not necessary, setting my pride aside, and I was able to achieve my best score of 79 on a par 72. The only time I bring out the driver is on holes where the fairway is open to the right and accuracy is not a huge deal, then I try and take advantage of the extra yardage. Otherwise I will accept a playable drive of ~235 in the fairway from the 4w.

Also, having some recovery shots in the bag is a crucial thing. My favorite is the punch-draw for when you end up in the trees. It is an easy shot to execute and very controllable.

[Dub]

Nothing wrong with what you are suggesting but I would recommend making one of the long irons your friend. Pick one, like a 4 or 5 iron and take it to the range and hit it until it is your favorite club. Then work out all the kinks on the rest.

I agree.

I wish I did this more often. Practice time is often a problem.....I should pit stop at our courses range post round and work with the offending club or clubs. Leave with a good feeling about them.

[mdvaldosta]

My best advice is to tee off with a 3W if you're having trouble hitting driver, or if it's not a long hole. You SHOULD play whatever iron is required to make it to the green. If it's a 300 yard par 4, and there's a bunker at 220 for you, then either hit the club that will leave you short or hit a club that will clear it on the fly.

#1 advice for course management - Play for the good shot while at the same time allowing for the best miss.

For example: If you usually miss right, and there's a bunker on the right fairway around your landing area - play for the left side of the fairway from the right side of the tee box. That way, if you miss right you'll probably still be ok and if you pull it alittle you'll still be fine.

[enduro]

When I started golfing I had a Theory that if I just used my PW I'd shoot a lower score and I'm pretty sure I would have. But, to me, that isn't a way to get better.

It depends what your goals are for the game I suppose. Granted, the goal of a round is to shoot the lowest score you can. But not using a full set of clubs will have negative long term effects.

But whatever makes the game more enjoyable to you, do it!

Try out a 3iron or a 4iron hybrid. You might find you can hit it reasonably well.

[dansensel]

i usually hit the driving range before the round. hit a bunch of perfect drives and get my confidence up. then i get on the first tee and slice one OB. Hit my driver again into the right rough.

I will usually stick with the driver like a moron for the next 5 or 6 holes, until i have absolutely no chance of turning in a low score. Then I will get mad enough to say screw the driver and will hit 3iron off of the tee. usually i will play three holes like that, and score a par or two. Then i will get confident again and pull the driver back out of the pond, proceding to blow the other 9 holes while drinking large amounts of beer to stop the pain.