Plan your play around the course
Most people don’t realize that before a tournament a tour player
will sit down with their caddy and plot the way they want to play
the course
– matching the strength of their game to that particular course
so they know when to attack vs. when to play for par. Not every par
four or par five calls for a driver off the tee.
I’ve seen so many golfers start off a round and play the first
three to four holes with a
”
hit it and hope mentality
”
then hope to settle down later and play controlled golf. That
would be like taking a vacation to Reno having never been there
before and hoping every time you made a turn you were on the right
street.
Plan your play around the course
Most people don’t realize that before a tournament a tour player will sit down with their caddy and plot the way they want to play the course – matching the strength of their game to that particular course so they know when to attack vs. when to play for par. Not every par four or par five calls for a driver off the tee.
I’ve seen so many golfers start off a round and play the first three to four holes with a “hit it and hope mentality” then hope to settle down later and play controlled golf. That would be like taking a vacation to Reno having never been there before and hoping every time you made a turn you were on the right street.
Try this the next time you play – while you are warming up on the range before your next round decide how you want to play the first three to four holes. Pick where you want your ball to land. I don’t mean 310 yards off the first tee, a wedge in and a tap in birdie. Play to your strengths. The longest drive I’ve ever hit was 302 yards; the average drive I hit today is 230 yards. Will I try and carry over a lake that needs 210 yards air distance? No way. I would rather walk away with a par or bogey than a double or triple because I planned poorly.
Pick the spots you want to hit on those first few holes. If you miss your first spot try and get as close to your second one as you can. If you try and drive to Reno without a map, who knows where you’ll end up? If you don’t have a plan on the golf course, you’ll end up digging in your wallet to pay off the Nassau you just lost. (Come to think of it you’ll end up doing the same thing when you do find Reno.)
The 2008 Mini Rewards program will go on sale Nov. 1. It will give you discounted green fees at Eagle Ridge, Laguna Seca and Rancho Canada plus you will accumulate points towards free golf.
Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at
sk*****@ea**********.com
. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
