Instruction
Four keys to make you a smarter golfer
Are you a smart golfer? Or do you regularly toss away unnecessary strokes due to mental mistakes?
Working with golfers at all levels on the mental/emotional game and having spent the better part of my entire life around the game, the things I’ve seen very smart people do on the golf course really leaves me scratching my head sometimes.
You don’t necessarily need to practice for hours and hours to lower your scores; all it takes is smarter thinking and preparing with a purpose.
What Most Golfers Do
Let’s start with an example:
A few months ago I was standing on the first tee at an event greeting players. Some arrived from the parking lot after racing across town to make their tee time, while others arrived after a brief stint on the practice tee.
The first hole was a slightly elevated par-4 about 410 yards, straight away with water down the right side. The hole opened up on the left — a wide fairway, a generous cut of rough and then trees about 30 yards beyond. On that day there was a slight cross-wind blowing from left to right.
As the players pulled up to the tee, about 95 percent of them pulled the driver from their bag without considering the shape of the hole, hazards or wind. Almost all walked up on the tee, aimed down the middle, and watched as the ball sailed into the water on the right. Every second player watched their ball start in the fairway or right-center, spin right and splash!
It was bewildering to see the look of surprise on their faces afterwards. What were they expecting? About 80 percent of golfers slice the ball for various reasons, yet none of these players considered aiming away from trouble and avoiding the hazard, even with wind blowing towards the water on the right.
Yes, mistakes were made during the swings, but these penalty strokes could have been saved even before stepping on the tee.
Are You a Smart Player?
My job is to essentially help performers/athletes get out of their own way. There are so many things that keep athletes from maximizing their performance, but the most common is just plain lack of thought.
Questions to ask yourself:
Do you properly prepare to play? Are you aware of your strengths and limitations? Do you play the course like a chess match, strategically placing your ball around the course?
Or, do you fall into the same traps that the players in the example above fall into — little to no warm-up, not paying attention to what the course gives you and not playing to your strengths? Do you makes mistakes that could have easily been avoided? Do you play some good holes but also have “too many” disaster holes?
A Few Ideas to Help You Play Smart
Here are a few simple ways — some factors you can directly control — to smarten up and immediately lower your scores.
1. Prepare yourself to play! Most players just do not allow for adequate warm-up time — a key part to allowing yourself to play to your strengths. Pay attention to your warm-up and get a sense for the flight of the ball — it will enable you to know “what you’ve got” that day. Also, standing on the first tee with the right club in your hand and thinking strategically can help build positive momentum for the remainder of your round.
2. Have a plan on how to play each hole. Evaluate each hole by first having a general focus of the entire hole including all trouble spots. Error away from trouble, then narrow your focus of the hole on a specific target area and hit the shot there. Remember that each hole is a chess game vs. the architect’s design, and you must know how to position your strength against the hole’s limitations.
3. Start slow and build. Stick your toe in to test the water early in the round and focus on keeping the ball in play. Hit the club that makes you feel most comfortable, allowing the nerves to settle and dissolve over the first few holes. Many players ignite the nerves by playing well beyond their capabilities very early in rounds. This approach puts players on the emotional roller coaster early in the round and it can be difficult to overcome.
4. Develop a “stock shot.” Every player will feel uncomfortable on certain holes in a round. What may be a comfortable-looking hole for me might be very uncomfortable for you. You should develop a shot you can trust to keep in play. It doesn’t matter what the shot looks like as long as it produces the result. Smart players acknowledge when things aren’t quite right and have a “go-to” shot when things get uncomfortable. This helps to eliminate big numbers on holes that just don’t fit your eye.
While there are many things you can’t control in the game of golf, being prepared and being smart are factors you can control. Many players like Jim Furyk have had great careers and made tremendous livings in the game of golf maximizing their abilities by having a plan and playing smart.
Use your head and see your scores drop!
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Rich Tarbert
Jul 13, 2015 at 12:24 pm
I am a multi-sport athlete. Grew up playing organized baseball and football, wrestled with friends for fun but never on a team, played pick up basketball wherever we could find a hoop, played softball, etc. I started playing golf, taking it seriously in my 40’s. I have never really had a great expectation to take my game anywhere other than having fun with my son or my friends. That being said, as a competitive athlete, the spirit of competition drives me to get better. Many instructors talk about different things, mental approach, swing speeds, technical thoughts, flow swings, tempo, and so on. In the end like every other sport it truly comes down to what I refer to as “Being Brilliant with the Basics”. I have a Marine friend of mine, who said this one day, and it took me by surprise not from him, but the profound meaning it conveys. If we stop, think, and get out of our own egotistical way for a few minutes a day, we can all become better golfers, ballers, fisherman, etc. Why is this? Because there are fundamentals in every aspect of life. It si when those fundamentals get of whack that we find ourselves in struggle. I learn this in golf by watching my son play High School Golf. I taught him the fundamentals as I learn from reading books, watching DVD’s, watching the pro instruction online, on TV, etc. I have taken him to several different PGA pro’s trying to find the right one that he relates to best, so he can work with them to take him to the next level. In those meetings, every one of the PGA Certified Pro’s has commented on the soundness of his fundamentals. All of them have only made very minor adjustments, and all said it wasn’t from what he was taught to do or could do, it was from him not executing his fundamentals on each and every shot consistently and as perfectly as he possible could. So I asked what can be some causes? They all have said, he has to learn to get out of his own way, put his ego down, and execute his fundamentals that you and he have worked out. They have compared his swing to the likes of Adam Scott, Jason Day, etc. Even the pro’s hit bad shots. So what is it that really makes us screw up on the first tee, shank a wedge when you have a prefect distance to dead center green with the pin just to the right and what should be an easy birdie? Execution of the fundamentals! To all on this post, there is no other way. You have to go to the range and do your technical work, get those fundamentals down for each club, then go play nine holes. If you execute your fundamentals on each and every shot and you know you carry distances, you will play better golf, lower your handicap, have more fun, and so on. That is a guarantee. How do I know? I started out as a 26 handicap, bought set of fitted clubs, had no clue what a good solid golf swing was, so I hit the range day in and day out sometimes two times a day. Along my way, people would stop by and say you are doing this and that. So I would try it. Never worked, I got mad and almost quit! But again, I am a athlete, now a retired US Marine of 27.5 years, and I will be damned if I am going to let something beat me! So, I talked to the pro’s. I did not have money for lessons, so I read, watched, tried, tweaked, etc. to teach myself. So in a mini tournament one of the club pro’s the one who fit my game improvement clubs, stood on the first tee with me, told me to swing at 60% off the first tee, mind my fundamentals, and pipe it down the middle. I asked why 60%? He said, take you shot, then I’ll tell you, but only if you pipe it down the middle. So, I take my shot, it was a beautiful baby draw! He looked at me and said “That is a great start to your good day!” So, I asked him why 60%? He said, he has watched all the better players tee off, most of them missed the first fairway, because they were thinking winning prize money and gifts, closest to the pins, etc.. I wanted you to think fairways and greens by executing your fundamentals, and at the end of the day, when you turn in your scorecard, I will be there to tell you the rest. So, off I went a 26 handicap, I hit more fairways that day, and a few more GIR’s, but most importantly I stayed out of trouble, I was in roughs and a few bunkers, but not like normal. I played an 87 that day. My score ever to that point. At the end of the day, back at the cookout, the Pro started calling out winners names, the last was the overall winner, my name had not been called, but I was a 26 handicap, so I had no expectations, then he called my name. I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked. I went up collected my prize check, and gift for being the worst best golfer that day! I did not understand the handicapping at that point, and when he explained it to me, he said “Now you know why I told you to execute your fundamentals on each and every shot. You will only get better from here, but only if you execute your fundamentals, don’t try to over power the course, the ball, the clubs, swing for the fences, etc., swing within yourself to your capability, take or two more clubs if you have to, but swing in rythmn and tempo, with a clear mind on each shot, remembering every shot has a purpose! For a while I did get better, then it fell apart, why? Because I wasn’t executing my fundamentals. Now that I am back and playing pick up games again, I am getting better, and shooting better scores! I only hit driver on 3 or 4 holes per round, because I play to my strengths and to what I can do, not what I want to do. It takes discipline to watch your buddies pull driver and be in the rough 50 – 60 yards ahead of you, but knowing that I am splitting fairways with irons, with better second or approach shots, makes this game worth playing again. My fairways hit percentage has increased immensely, my GIR’s has increased significantly as well, which means my putting is getting better, which leads to lower scores and more FUN!!! Unless it is a Par 4 of more than 480 yards, I don’t hit 3W, or Driver. I may use a hybrid of 5W periodically but only if I am feeling it! If not, I go to 3 – 4 iron. No matter what I always play the hole from center green back to tee. I want all of my approach shots to be within 150 yards, this is my comfort zone with 7, 8, 9, PW, 51 or 56 degree wedge. So along with my discipline to take the right club off the tee and before I strike that first shot, I have analyzed the hole, and while I don’t focus on where trouble is, I am aware of it, and I look at my yardages to center fairway and center green. I hit the ball fairly straight with a butter fade or baby draw. so on a 488 yard par 4, I subtract 150 leaving me with 338 yards. I don’t drive the ball with driver that far so I break that down, I take a look at the first sign of trouble, I stay clear of that trying to remain dead center fairway. Once that is accomplished usually around the 200 yard mark, I then break down the distance of the second shot, so in this case I am 200 off the tee, so lying 288 to the center of the green, I know I want to be within 150 of the green, I can’t fly it 288 and stick it, so play to a 100 yards or so, plus or minus roll, usually with a 6 -7 iron, if that works out for me, then I know I have a wedge in, and now I focus on 2-3 feet from the pin and mostly underneath the hole. I am seeing more Par’s when more birdie opportunities. Birdies are usually longer putts, and I am working on that and short game more and more now. BE BRILLIANT WITH YOUR BASICS!! Play better golf!!
Mark
May 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm
I’ve been playing this game for 50 years. Seen many different swings and played with golfers of all abilities. Some have been professionals or top amateurs others were weekend hackers.
This much I know. 95% of all poorly executed shots, regardless of ability, are caused by a basic error in grip, stance, posture or alignment, resulting in an inability to maintain core stability and the correct release of the club head through the back of the ball, perpendicular to the intended line of flight.
As a result, balls all too often land a long way from the desired position from which to play the next shot. Only ‘scratch’ golfers come close to executing the strategy you recommend. Playing smart for Mr Average involves trying to create often impossibly ambitious recovery shots to get the ball back in play.
Good article but a ‘go to’ shot would be redundant if we all concentrated on mastering the fundamentals.
John Haime
May 29, 2015 at 9:07 am
Thanks so much for the comments Mark – good insights.
Completely agree that golf is a game of fundamentals and having good fundamentals is the foundation of a good game. I also believe knowing your own strengths is key notwithstanding good fundamentals. Don’t forget the aspect of preparation mentioned in the article. This is also a key – but very poorly done by almost all golfers – especially higher handicaps.
Please note that those impossibly ambitious recovery shots often compound the problem and further elevate the numbers on the card. Playing smart is not hitting shots you have not practiced or shots beyond your capabilties.
Thanks again for a good contribution to the conversation!
Stay tuned for more in the coming months to address other challenges.
Peter
May 28, 2015 at 6:31 pm
A good piece of advice I was told by Nick Faldo is; “make an aggressive swing to a conservative target” this applies for every shot either from the tee / approach or wherever. Most golfers get into trouble doing exactly the opposite, they pick an aggressive target (for their ability) and as a result end up making a very conservative swing.
John Haime
May 28, 2015 at 9:57 pm
Great addition to the comments Peter – completely agree. It really is about commitment to an appropriate target. I think some players think that consideration of hazards and penalties is negative – but it is the smart way to play to consider the course’s strengths and limitations, your strengths and limitations … and then match them up.
Thanks for sharing,
Andrew
May 27, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Great insight John. For players just starting to play the game, a 10 handicap, or a tour pro, this article applies to them. In regards to #4, it’s hard to forget how many majors for which Tiger’s go-to shot played a crucial role. The “stinger” will live forever in my book and be somewhat of my go-to shot as well. Tiger has seemingly been as errant as anyone with the driver (with an exception being 1999-2000), even more evidence to mimic such tactics. Although Tiger was able to play the stinger with multiple clubs, it’s not something I would advise to the average golf who doesn’t practice/play 8 hours a day to mimic.
Bacon
May 26, 2015 at 3:58 pm
I’m a 11 handicap who fully understands what this article is about. However, after reading the first 3 paragraphs I couldn’t help but get past the following:
1. I’m supposed to play my miss, but do I swing expecting to hit the miss or expecting to hit a good shot? Most holes that I play I would have to aim into the trees on the right in order to keep my miss in the fairway, but if I hit it the way I plan to I’d then be in the right trees. The idea is good if you have a gaping fairway w/ very little trouble on either side.
2. I can throttle back on the club off the tee, knowing I will still have a manageable second shot distance. Inevitably, whenever I do this my “safe” tee shot is now a chunked 3W/hybrid/iron (regardless of what club it is). So I’m screwed anyway.
Adam
May 27, 2015 at 9:22 am
Bang on!
I can’t tell you how many times I made the smart decision only to shank the shot or put an uncharacteristic flight into a hazard.
Sometimes approaching a shot in Hero-mode actually makes me execute a better, more confident stroke instead of the usually “too-easy”and safe shot which is less natural and is accompanied by doubt and expectations of trouble.
Daniel
May 27, 2015 at 9:40 am
I’ve had this problem to in the past. I found that what I was doing was choosing the smart play and then making a tentative swing that tried to guide the ball into the fairway. As you can guess that formula produced some awful shots and lots of frustration. What I have done to lessen the problem is to pick the smart play just like before and then make sure to take a normal aggressive swing. The main thing is to not be tentative.
John Haime
May 27, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Hey Adam – thanks for the comment!
I think that it’s important to note, as mentioned in the article, that there is an initial macro focus to have a realistic view of the hole and where the trouble is. After all, considering trouble is not negative – it’s smart! Once you have done that you can narrow your focus (more positive). Taking an initial “wide” look limits big mistakes by widening your margin for error. As you know golf is a game of mistakes so awareness around this is important.
I think the “hero” mentality may work periodically – but will also put big numbers on your scorecard! Keep in mind there are times in a round where paying attention to the “yellow” light is key to making a score.
Happy that the article made you think about it – hope to help more in the coming months.
The best to you.
John Haime
May 26, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Great comment Scooter – thanks!
Yes, important to gauge and play within your own abilities. If most golfers could play smarter and eliminate penalty shots – especially early in the round – many shots would be saved.
Greg V
May 26, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Talk about playing smart? On par three’s, club yourself to the back of the green, especially if there is trouble in front and not in the back.
I used to work at a golf course re-seeding the tees on par 3’s in the afternoon when my main responsibilities were over. Most everyone came up short. I can’t remember anyone coming up over the green. And that goes for everyone that I play with, as well.
other paul
May 26, 2015 at 2:31 pm
I just played my best round ever by aiming for 100 yard markers off the tee. Almost holes out twice from the fairway. Started hitting my sand wedge really nice and getting them close. Worked great.
Mike Gomez
May 26, 2015 at 1:46 pm
@Mike. The problem is the people on the first didn’t even bother to aim left and play the slice. Therefore they likely double or trippled the hole when they could have easily walked away with par if they simply thought about hole before going yak yak yak to their buddies and swinging away.
Mike
May 26, 2015 at 11:51 am
Would’t the “stock shot” idea only be applicable to better players? I’m a 5 handicap and don’t have a “stock shot” and I know most if all higher handicaps certainly do not hit the ball with any consistency to be able to hit that “stock shot”.
In addition to this, what do you do if you are a short hitter on that 410yd par 4 or don’t hit your 3 wood any straighter than you do your driver? Do you knock it all the way down to a 180yd 5i off the tee with 230yds left and play it as a par 5?
Not a criticism of the article, but questions to better understand your logic.
Adam
May 26, 2015 at 12:32 pm
I’m a 13 handicap and last season I started the year by practicing a stock shot. I stopped swinging aggressively while trying to aim straight. I spent a few sessions on the range just working on hitting a fade at about 75%. for me this meant I would align myself to my target and hit a shot that intentionally started in the direction of the left rough and then curved back to the middle. This meant if I did miss, then I’d either pull it but likely still be in play, but more often my miss would fade too much but I’d be safely on the right side of the fairway at about 240 yards. If everything went perfectly I would be in the center of the fairway at about 250 yards.
This is significantly shorter than my potential distance, but it led me to 65% fairways and 90% playable second shots.
Granted I did spend this past off-season straying from this “safety”shot because I wanted the extra 40 yards that I get with a baby draw, but it should be noted even though I now average 285 yards from the tee, my fairways hit have decreased to 50% and my playable 2nd shot is around 85%.
So the stock shot is possible, and very likely the better approach. If only I could fully suppress the ego!
Adam
May 26, 2015 at 12:43 pm
I would also note that the majority of bad decisions I make in a round aren’t from the tee, but more times it’s going into hero mode from the rough or on approaches on par 5s. I probably give away up to 5 strokes a round by not talking myself down from unnecessary risks.
Scooter McGavin
May 26, 2015 at 1:51 pm
I think what you just said about using an iron could still be viable for a number of players. If they can at least keep their irons straight and get to the green in 3, they will be hitting their 3rd from 50 yards out and at least still have a chance for par, and an even easier chance at bogey. Compare that scenario to slicing into the water and having to drop and hit your 3rd shot from 150-200 yards away. Most high handicappers are then going to make 6 or worse. You have to take into consideration whom this approach is geared toward. Sure, a really good golfer may be aiming for birdies and so this wouldn’t be the best method, but a 15 hcp would usually be pretty happy with a par or bogey on the first hole. And also remember that it is only being suggested for the first few holes, so the player gets comfortable. Just my $.02.
Mike
May 26, 2015 at 3:15 pm
I’m going to play my home course tomorrow and every hole I’m even remotely scared of being in my pocket for my second shot I’m going to hit a 5i or 6i off the tee and see how it turns out. My guess is that the 180-200yd tee shots will probably put my second shot in jeopardy or I’ll have to make a decision to play to a par 4 in 3 shots, BUT I want to see how it will turn out.
John Haime
May 26, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Hi Mike,
Certainly well within the capabilities of a 5 handicap to develop a stock shot. It might be with a hybrid or a club you are comfortable with.
Alot of the article is about understanding what you do well, what your limitations are and making sure you are playing that chess match with the course – and winning the match! Playing within your capabilities and not wasting shots! If you are a very good wedge player – a 5 iron on the hole might be the play. If you aren’t, consider what might be a play for you where you can use your strengths.
If you feel uncomfortable on a hole – do what it takes to keep the ball in play and always play to strengths.
Great comment – thanks!
Alex
May 26, 2015 at 4:15 pm
My handicap’s 4 and I do have a go to swing or shot so I guess you’ve got the skill to develop one. My go-to shot’s a 3/4 swing that hits a lowish baby draw. I usually take 1 or 2 more clubs and go for it when I’m out of sync or try to get out of a mess. The go-to is a real life-saver during the round. Go get yours.
John Haime
May 27, 2015 at 8:41 am
Great example Alex – everyone must find their own stock shot that they can trust when needed. Sounds like you’ve found yours.
Thanks for the comment!