Strategy:
A great way to lower your handicap
by Mary E. Porter
Editor & Publisher
Tee Time Magazine
 I will assume that you have been playing golf for at least a year and that you know the mechanics of the golf swing, the basic rules and that you practice good golf etiquette. Now you are looking for a way to lower your scores.
How about learning the strategy of your golf game? Strategic golf begins before you start your round at the first tee. Golf courses are different and require different play. Golf courses are full of hazards and problems and how you handle each will determine the outcome of your game. The average golfer does not have the skills necessary to handle every situation the way a professional does, so know your ability and stop dreaming and fantasizing that you can make every shot like Tiger Woods. Know your limits! Think about where you have the ability to land your first shot off the tee. Do you want to use your driver because you know you can hit over the small pond 220 yards away, or do you need to lay up because you cannot consistently hit that far? If you cannot hit over the pond your strategy should be to be hit this side of the pond and then lay 2 on the other side of the pond instead of 3 because you went into the water. Play the safer option and avoid risks whenever possible. You will be amazed at how your score will go down because you didn’t play the foolish shot.
Remember, every lie has several options. Think about the them and take a route that is conserative and safe. Golfers who practice good course-management skills always know when to play it safe and when to take a risk. If you chose the riskier shot and do fail, shake off the frustration and forgive yourself so that you can gain a positive attitude again before your next shot. Staying upset will only increase failure on future shots.
When your ball has a bad lie, it may be necessary to hit somewhere other than at the hole. You may have to hit sideways or even backwards to increase your chances for a better hit on your next swing.
You will face many different situations throughout your round of golf; here are a few more examples:
When you are on the tee you need to survey where the danger areas are located, choose a club that guarantees you will avoid the hazards if you consistantly mis-hit off the tee. If the fairway is open with no trouble then use a long club.
If the hole is a dogleg, can you hit over the trees and around the corner? Can you make your ball intentionally slice or hook around the bend? If you can’t, you may need to lay up and play it safe.
When your ball is in the fairway does it have a nice fluffy lie or is your ball in a divot? STOP and THINK, you may need to give this shot extra thought before hitting and hit a different club than you might normally hit if you had a clean shot.
Are you in the rough and getting to the green with your next shot is close to impossible? Think about playing it safe and hitting the ball a shorter distance, guaranteeing that you get back onto the fairway giving you a better shot to the green. What is the best strategy?
When you are ready to hit to the green look to see which way the green slopes. Is it a flat green or does it slope from front to back, back to front, right to left, or are there any rises? Other than chipping right into the cup, where is the BEST possible place for you to putt from? Usually uphill putts are easier than downhill putts. Are there hazards around the green? And finally, in reality can you reach the green with your next shot or should you lay up and have a more accurate chip onto the green?
Playing smart golf may sometimes feel dumb, but when you see your scores come down you will realize that strategy works!!
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