How To Use Course Management For A Better Round

by: June-AnnJones
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Course management is a skill and it's only by gaining experience and actually getting on the golf course that you will develop your ability in this area. We all make mistakes, but you have to learn in order to avoid making the same mistakes in the future and increase your chance to score well.

You should always play to your strengths.

Positional Play

Try to look at the angles, easiest is usually best. Observe the position of flag before you get to the green. It is an easier shot to make if you have the right angle, so if the flag is on the left of the green, coming in from the right of the fairway is best.

If the hole is cut near a bunker or hazard, a shot to the middle of the green is often the best play. Is the flag at the top of a slope, in which case you will want to be hitting your putt up the slope if at all possible.

Try before you start a hole to imagine where you would like your shots to be and play to those positions. We all know it is easier to hit shots from the fairway than the rough.

Hazards

Some holes will present you with hazards that you cannot get over. The sensible play would be to lay up short. Many times, when 'laying up' a common error is made and too much club is used with the result of ending up in the hazard. If you decide to 'lay up' then it is best policy to choose a club which will not allow your ball to reach the hazard.

Dog Legs

We all think we can hit further than we actually can and therefore the temptation to cut off 'as much as possible' is a real one. In most cases it is better to be wider off the tee than too narrow as this will keep you out of trouble and give a better view.

Recovery Shots

Even when you plan your positions carefully on a hole we often find that we need to play some kind of 'escape' shot. You should always take the safe option - something which wont land you in more trouble - it could be a sideways chip, but if played correctly will get you out of trouble. You should guard against 'having a go' unless you are very confident you can play the shot.

Make sure that when you are in a bunker, you take a club with enough loft to get you out. That is after all the whole point - if by trying to make a long shot you cannot get out of the bunker because you land back in it, then it costs you more shots.

Course management is the skill of assessing your ability and relating that to the demands of the course correctly. Achieving this to obtain the lowest possible score is what keeps us coming back each week.......................

About the Author

Is there a magic way to drop your handicap? Read more great articles by June-Anne Jones about tips and techniques to help improve your golf. More articles on ladies golf sets and information on ladies golf clothes