Golf Course Management - Playing Smarter

DETWILER Amateur
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After analyzing some of my current stats for the season, I've come to the conclusion that I should be playing smarter/more conservative golf. 1) I've used driver off the tee too often (several holes could have been played differently, either using a long iron or 3W off the tee for added accuracy). 2) Too many of my approach shots have also been overly aggressive, resulting in missed greens altogether. I've done some quality reading on managing one's way around the course, and I'm surprised I haven't done more of this sooner. Putting it to the test over the past week (small sample size), I kept my driver in the bag when it wasn't needed, resulting in more fairways, better looks at greens, and shaved a few strokes off of my usual score. Question: How many of you establish a general plan in advance on how you'd like to play the course on a given day (ex. noting yardages, potential club selections, etc)? If so, do you find this beneficial? How has it impacted your overall scores?
Pappy82nd Professional Champion
# 16 9/25/2015 7:32:34 PM
I had the same type of feeling until I saw this. When in doubt, refer to someone smater than you. Great quote. Phil has live by that mentality his entire career and been chastised for it. Arnie live by it his entire career and was a hero for it. Guess that is why, to me, they are the best to watch. Bubba falls in that realm as well. I love going after it, although as I get older I am playing a bit more conservative.
Vincedaddy Legend
# 17 9/25/2015 8:36:46 PM
I had the same type of feeling until I saw this. When in doubt, refer to someone smater than you. Great quote. Phil has live by that mentality his entire career and been chastised for it. Arnie live by it his entire career and was a hero for it. Guess that is why, to me, they are the best to watch. Bubba falls in that realm as well. I love going after it, although as I get older I am playing a bit more conservative. The only time I have ever heard my 89 year old father in law swear was while playing. He was blocked by a tree and water was in play. He could hit the ball 50 yards into the fariway (the safe thing) or try to hit a 7w draw over water and around a tree leaving a chip onto the green. He said "What the hell" went with the 7w, and pulled off the shot. The grin on his face as he put the club back in the bag said it all.
LyinLewis Legend
# 18 9/25/2015 9:59:11 PM
I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some. Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole. At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course. If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option. Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement.
Vincedaddy Legend
# 19 9/25/2015 10:09:09 PM
I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some. Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole. At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course. If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option. Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement. Let me rephrase my previous statement. I miss much closer with the 3W than the driver.
LyinLewis Legend
# 20 9/25/2015 10:23:05 PM
I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some. Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole. At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course. If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option. Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement. Let me rephrase my previous statement. I miss much closer with the 3W than the driver. I have only had a 3 wood in my bag for a couple of months and this is the first 3 wood I have ever owned, so perhaps there is a comfort level I need to find. This evening I hit a 3 wood great shot into the first par 5 that set up a two putt birdie.
Vincedaddy Legend
# 21 9/25/2015 11:50:59 PM
I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some. Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole. At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course. If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option. Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement. Let me rephrase my previous statement. I miss much closer with the 3W than the driver. I have only had a 3 wood in my bag for a couple of months and this is the first 3 wood I have ever owned, so perhaps there is a comfort level I need to find. This evening I hit a 3 wood great shot into the first par 5 that set up a two putt birdie. I should be a weapon. http://www.golfchannel.com/med../
JayPet Legend
# 22 9/26/2015 7:30:25 AM
I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some. Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole. At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course. I agree with this. My basic Tee box course management rule of thumb is hit Driver on the 400+ yard holes and hit 3W on the sub 400 holes. I can control my 3W for a hook or draw, so itmakes it easier for course management. Not so concerned being close to the hole anymore because because I feel I have a better game from 100-120 yds than I do from 40 or 50 yards. So I agree that most players should play Driver only if there is some forgiveness in the fairway or the shot fits your comfortable Driver flight.
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 23 9/26/2015 8:39:53 AM
W W J D ? ...............
Jerry Goddard Professional Champion
# 24 9/28/2015 9:44:30 AM
Just a "whatever". It's interesting to read the course management comments and then check the Hcp index of the writer. Maybe some experiential wisdom there? Some guy named Trevino said something like I'll get a teacher when I find one that can beat me. :).
DETWILER Amateur
# 25 9/28/2015 6:25:27 PM
As a bogey golfer, I still have plenty to learn & practice, but have noticed that sticking to the higher percentage shots on the course have already paid dividends in my game. I'm making fewer avoidable mistakes, which is at least increasing my amount of pars per round. On a good day, I'll get a few decent looks at birdie here and there as well. I'm not better than most of the readers on this site, but appreciate the insights & commentary from everyone.

DETWILER

Amateur

Go to Last Reply

157 Views 25 Replies 0 Likes

After analyzing some of my current stats for the season, I've come to the conclusion that I should be playing smarter/more conservative golf.
1) I've used driver off the tee too often (several holes could have been played differently, either using a long iron or 3W off the tee for added accuracy).
2) Too many of my approach shots have also been overly aggressive, resulting in missed greens altogether.

I've done some quality reading on managing one's way around the course, and I'm surprised I haven't done more of this sooner. Putting it to the test over the past week (small sample size), I kept my driver in the bag when it wasn't needed, resulting in more fairways, better looks at greens, and shaved a few strokes off of my usual score.

Question: How many of you establish a general plan in advance on how you'd like to play the course on a given day (ex. noting yardages, potential club selections, etc)? If so, do you find this beneficial? How has it impacted your overall scores?

Pappy82nd

Professional Champion

# 16 9/25/2015 7:32:34 PM

I had the same type of feeling until I saw this. When in doubt, refer to someone smater than you.

Great quote. Phil has live by that mentality his entire career and been chastised for it. Arnie live by it his entire career and was a hero for it. Guess that is why, to me, they are the best to watch. Bubba falls in that realm as well.

I love going after it, although as I get older I am playing a bit more conservative.

Vincedaddy

Legend

# 17 9/25/2015 8:36:46 PM

I had the same type of feeling until I saw this. When in doubt, refer to someone smater than you.

Great quote. Phil has live by that mentality his entire career and been chastised for it. Arnie live by it his entire career and was a hero for it. Guess that is why, to me, they are the best to watch. Bubba falls in that realm as well.

I love going after it, although as I get older I am playing a bit more conservative.

The only time I have ever heard my 89 year old father in law swear was while playing. He was blocked by a tree and water was in play. He could hit the ball 50 yards into the fariway (the safe thing) or try to hit a 7w draw over water and around a tree leaving a chip onto the green. He said "What the hell" went with the 7w, and pulled off the shot. The grin on his face as he put the club back in the bag said it all.

LyinLewis

Legend

# 18 9/25/2015 9:59:11 PM

I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some.

Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole.

At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course.

If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option.

Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement.

Vincedaddy

Legend

# 19 9/25/2015 10:09:09 PM

I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some.

Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole.

At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course.

If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option.

Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement.

Let me rephrase my previous statement.

I miss much closer with the 3W than the driver.

LyinLewis

Legend

# 20 9/25/2015 10:23:05 PM

I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some.

Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole.

At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course.

If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option.

Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement.

Let me rephrase my previous statement.

I miss much closer with the 3W than the driver.

I have only had a 3 wood in my bag for a couple of months and this is the first 3 wood I have ever owned, so perhaps there is a comfort level I need to find.

This evening I hit a 3 wood great shot into the first par 5 that set up a two putt birdie.

Vincedaddy

Legend

# 21 9/25/2015 11:50:59 PM

I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some.

Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole.

At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course.

If your problem is making solid contact, yes. If you are fighting a slice with the driver then the 3W is a great option.

Vince did you see me fight a slice when we played? And I hook the living crap out of my 3 wood. My driver is straight as an arrow, but that darn 3 wood has some serious movement.

Let me rephrase my previous statement.

I miss much closer with the 3W than the driver.

I have only had a 3 wood in my bag for a couple of months and this is the first 3 wood I have ever owned, so perhaps there is a comfort level I need to find.

This evening I hit a 3 wood great shot into the first par 5 that set up a two putt birdie.

I should be a weapon.

http://www.golfchannel.com/med../

JayPet

Legend

# 22 9/26/2015 7:30:25 AM

I would argue that a driver is more often than not the better play off the tee box over a 3 wood. There is more technology and forgiveness in a driver. Perhaps choking down and shortening the club a bit would help some.

Not always, but usually if I am going to miss I would prefer to miss longer off the tee and closer to the hole.

At my club we have OB in play on nearly every hole with houses lining most fairways so that isn't the case at my home course.

I agree with this. My basic Tee box course management rule of thumb is hit Driver on the 400+ yard holes and hit 3W on the sub 400 holes. I can control my 3W for a hook or draw, so itmakes it easier for course management.

Not so concerned being close to the hole anymore because because I feel I have a better game from 100-120 yds than I do from 40 or 50 yards. So I agree that most players should play Driver only if there is some forgiveness in the fairway or the shot fits your comfortable Driver flight.

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 23 9/26/2015 8:39:53 AM

W W J D ? ...............

Jerry Goddard

Professional Champion

# 24 9/28/2015 9:44:30 AM

Just a "whatever". It's interesting to read the course management comments and then check the Hcp index of the writer. Maybe some experiential wisdom there?
Some guy named Trevino said something like I'll get a teacher when I find one that can beat me. :).

DETWILER

Amateur

# 25 9/28/2015 6:25:27 PM

As a bogey golfer, I still have plenty to learn & practice, but have noticed that sticking to the higher percentage shots on the course have already paid dividends in my game. I'm making fewer avoidable mistakes, which is at least increasing my amount of pars per round. On a good day, I'll get a few decent looks at birdie here and there as well.

I'm not better than most of the readers on this site, but appreciate the insights & commentary from everyone.

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