Best book on course management?

[Dave]

Howdy all. After nearly 20 years of playing on and off with varying degrees of dedication, I think my course management skills (or lack thereof) are the biggest detriment to my game.

One book that I have and like is Butch Harmon's "Playing Lessons".

How about you? Do you have a favorite book / video etc. on the subject of course management?

[Boosty16]

The whole Bob Rotella line. They really dont talk about course management but rather about every thought going through your head up until striking the ball. Helped me tremendously. I beleive he has about 5 or 6 books out now. If you read his books make sure you read the "Play to Play Great" first. Then follow with the rest.

Now that I have the mental part of the game somewhat understood, I am now looking for a course management book like you.

[Bignose]

Dave Pelz has a book called Damage Control that is all about avoiding disaster holes. I haven't read it, but the book can only be purchased off of Dave Pelz's website, not through a bookstore or amazon.com or anything like that.

I am curious if there is much in the book, or if it is a lot of common sense type things.

I think that the biggest thing you can do, Dave, is some self-review. If it is really your course management skills that are holding you back, with the clarity of hindsight, you should be able to spot a fair amount of the mistakes you've made. Review the round as soon as you can... when you get home, or at the 19th hole. Make notes on the scorecard or on an extra piece of paper. Review them before your next round. You have to learn from the mistakes.

Then, before you play a new course, or maybe even with the courses you are familar with, check the course website. A lot these days have hole diagrams on their pages. Look at the diagrams and plan ahead. Often there are photographs with the diagram so you can see some semblance of the slope/hills/etc. Sure, it isn't perfect, but it is good to have a game plan going in, especially on some of the tougher 2 or 3 holes you think are going to give you problems. With the hole diagrams you can plan where you think the good places to lay up are, where to be aggressive, where you need to drop down to a 3 wood or 5 wood or hybrid when you have to get the ball in play off the tee.

But, I realy think self-review is the key. You need to know your game, and be honest with yourself over what mistakes you made. Once you identify them, you should be able to start to remedy them. If you have the opportunity when the course is pretty empty, if may be interesting to play a 2 ball with yourself. Play one your old method, and really concentrate on playing the other with an eye towards the smart shot -- the conservative shot -- the shot that eliminates as many of your old mistakes as you can.

This is a problem I have, too. I play way too aggresively, and rarely does the 'hero' shot work. A lot of it for me is to see if I can pull it off or not. I know full well that it may only be a 1 in 10 or a 1 in 25 chance, but I like to see if I can too it. I know that I give away strokes, but I also like to have fun out on the course, and trying those hero shots -- especially when they work -- are definately great fun.

[barrycuda]

you dont need a book for this. most is common sense. dont put yourself into positions where you give a mistake an opportunity.

for example, par 5. instead of smashing a 3wood to get on in 2, why not lay up with an iron and get on in 3 shots and still putt for birdie? its always temping to get out the 3wood, then hit it fat,hook,slice etc because you try to hit it too far.

just one example of course management.

[cubfanbob]

"A Round of Golf With Tommy Armour".

[RX Phoenix]

Thanks for the topic . . . it's just what I needed to focus on.

I just ordered some of your recommendations, "A Round of Golf With Tommy Armour," "Playing Lessons" by Butch Harmon, and "How To Score When Not Playing Your Best," by Raymond Floyd. Hope they shed some light on the game within the game.