Golf Course Management Tips

Managing the course well can make a big difference to improving your overall scores and lowering your handicap. Many amateurs lose a lot of strokes due to poor course management. Every course is different so you need to use a unique approach depending on the course and the conditions. If the wind is high then you will need to hit the ball lower so it is not affected as much by it. Put the ball a little further back in your stance in order to hit it lower. You must make hitting fairways and greens a priority so if this means taking a shorter club off the tee then so be it. Remember to play to your strengths so if you have a tendency to slice the ball then be sure to aim a little more to the left when choosing your targets.

 

You should alter your strategy to take into account high winds. If the wind is in your face and you need to carry the ball 200 yards or more then be sure to take the right club, you may need to take an extra club or two. Remember to always hit the shot you feel most comfortable with and do not take unnecessary risks. You are much better off taking a shorter club and hitting the fairway than taking a longer one and ending up in the rough even if it is further up. As long as you can get the ball to the 150 yard marker and in with a shorter club then it is a good idea. With most greens you need to remember that missing short is better than going long as most courses do not offer much room behind the greens.

 

Also do not forget to take into account green firmness and hold as this will have a big impact on your approach shots. If the greens are hard then you will need to land the ball earlier so you may even need to take one club less depending on the size of the greens. It is a good idea on most courses to have a conservative strategy combined with an aggressive swing. Be sure to swing freely on each shot and stay focused on your targets. On your approach shots to the green try to take into account the slope of the greens so you can give yourself the easiest putt possible. However if a pin is in a tight position then you are better off in most cases just aiming for the middle of the green instead of risking missing the green and ending up in water or bunkers. Click here to learn more on how to play better golf.