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 Then reality sets in as the ball rattles around in the trees and leaves an even more difficult shot than before. Avoiding the blow-up hole is easier said than done, but many times it’s the result of trying to be a hero instead of taking a more prudent approach. Before playing a shot that you would consider less-than-routine, think about your chances of executing that shot. Have you ever practiced the shot before? Have you ever even hit the shot before? If you were to try and pull the shot off, how many times in 10 do you think you could successfully do it? For those of us who waste shots in this manner, some local professionals are here to help with tips for better course management. PAR FOR YOUR COURSE The great thing about golf is you can play at your own level and improve one stroke at a time. If you’re attempting to break 100 for the first time, set your hole-by-hole scorecard to equal 99 and play one shot and one hole at a time. Golfers often get caught up in the past or future and have trouble staying in the present during a round. Play to your own abilities and set your own par. You’ll have more fun and enjoy golf more when you play one shot at a time. David Emerick The Hodges Golf Center LIMIT YOUR OPTIONS Many golfers make bad decisions off the tee and on second shots on par-5 holes. Fairway woods and long irons can give a player a sense of having to swing hard, and that’s where the trouble begins. Players would find more success if they let the shot happen naturally rather than trying to force it. Take your fairway woods and long irons out of the bag and eliminate the desire to overswing on these shots. You’ll play smarter and score better. Larry Olmstead Rancho Vista Golf Course STICK TO THE PLAN Course management means having a plan and sticking to it. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your game and always select a club that will keep you short of — or away from — the trouble spots. Be realistic and don’t select a club that will require a career shot to pull off. When in doubt, use more club. George Pinnell Rowland Heights Golf Center POSITIVE THINKING Golfers can improve their scores by focusing on a specific target before each shot. Every year I play in about seven or eight pro-ams, and one thing I’ve noticed is that my teammates often tell me where not to hit it if I haven’t played the golf course before. I’ll be on the tee and they’ll say: “Out of bounds left ... Don’t hit it right ... Don’t leave it short ... I had a triple bogey on this hole last time.” Clear your mind of negative thoughts and pick out a specific target before each shot. Your accuracy will go up and your scores will go down. Matt Viguerie Matt Viguerie Golf Academy/Shorecliffs Golf Club Get ON A ROLL The No. 1 problem I see on the golf course is poor club selection around the green. This usually involves using too much loft. Applying too much loft causes the ball to go higher and the shot typically will not roll out as well. These shots require much more touch and practice. Weekend golfers could save several strokes each round if they followed this simple rule: Putt whenever you can, chip if you cannot putt and pitch only if you cannot chip. A poor lag putt from off the green will generally end up closer to the hole than a poor chip or pitch. So get the ball on the ground as soon as you can. John Mason Encinitas Ranch Golf Course DO THE MATH All too often I see amateur golfers attempting high-risk shots that even PGA Tour professionals wouldn’t try. Instead of going after these difficult and often score-inflating shots, play to your “personal par,” which is equal to the course’s par plus your handicap. For example, an 18-handicap golfer’s personal par would be 72+18=90. By striving to achieve your personal par, you’ll be able to think and maneuver your way around the golf course while playing to your strengths and avoiding high-risk shots. Try it on each hole and take the stress out of your game. Dale Abraham PGA of Southern California Golf Club |
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