How to hit more greens in regulation & better course management

[Sai-Jin]

WHat would you do when the course you play in has a lot of OB to the right and your bad shots are a push?

Play a fade all the time and aim left?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Sai-Jin

I feel that this is where I'm the weakest right now, when the green is about 175yds + which is 7i and above.

I missed so many greens it's not even funny. The only reason I can score in the low 10s is only because I got so used to scrambling up and down with my wedges

and more than half the time, I can 1 putt after the chip.

Those of you with more experience in this field, please give me something to work on.

At one point I treat the approach shots as if I'm on a Par 3, but once I'm against a par 3 that's around 185yards +, I tend to miss the green.

So yes, please give me advice in regards to this and a better course management. I'm sure there are things I'm not even aware of.

Thanks in advance.

I started hitting more greens when I realized that I didn't have to hit at pins all the time. And I'm talking both line and distance.

Now instead of getting the distance to the pin, I get that along with distance to the front of the green. This is particularly helpful with those very shots you're having problems with. If you're 185 to the pin, more likely then not you really only need to fly the ball 170 and it can bounce and stick or bounce and roll out. You're probably not back up anything 7iron or higher.

As far as targeting. There is no need to pin hunt from long approach shots. So you have a 30' putt? At least its a putt for birdie, and you're not faced with some crazy chip to save par. 30' putts will find their way into the hole, particularly if you find yourself having them more often. Always play to the safe side of sucker pins.Again, birdie putts are far birdie to have then birdie chips.

Use the elements use your momentum. What way is the wind blowing in relation to where the pin is? Is it hot outside, cold? Are you at elevation or at sea level? What shot are you most comfortable hitting? If the pin is left and you hit a fade, start it at the pin, no need to get crazy looking at the left side of the green. Play smart.