Delo’s Divots: It doesn’t matter what skill level you are at,
from a scratch golfer to a 40-handicapper, you can benefit from
some basic course management.
Grip it and rip it, right?
Well, that philosophy may work in a long-drive contest but it doesn’t work on the golf course. It doesn’t matter what skill level you are at, from a scratch golfer to a 40-handicapper, you can benefit from some basic course management.
How many times do you roll a ball right into a sand trap guarding a green, then take two or three shots to get out of the trap? Unless bunker play is the strongest part of your game, why not choose a club that allows you to lay back and away from the bunker?
When I say ‘lay back,’ I suggest laying back to your strongest distance. Do you consistently strike the ball well from 40, 50, maybe 75 yards? Whatever it may be, you should play to your strength.
How about driving the ball into a creek that crosses the fairway? We have all done it, but it has to be the dumbest thing to do. If you know you can reach the water with your driver, then hit a 3-wood.
With an approach shot to the green, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to go for the pin. If you slice the ball and the pin is cut on the left part of the green behind a bunker, just hit it to the fat part of the green. Going for the pin means you have to aim to the left of the green to play your slice back to the flag.
But what happens if it doesn’t slice?
You get the picture. Think before you swing. You will save strokes.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
