There is a stereotype that golf is all about walking up to the next shot, picking a club, and hitting the ball. However, there are many more intricacies that you can follow if you are interested in taking your game to the next level and maximizing your on-course management. Golf is anything but an easy game, and while it can be the most frustrating sport in the world, the moment you strike that perfect shot, it can also be the most rewarding!
Let’s look at five top tips you can follow the next time you head to the golf course, and perhaps you will reap the benefits of following some core, fundamental principles. Whether you are a frequent visitor to the course or prefer to head to the course as an occasional pastime with your friends, these are tips that every golfer can follow. It may be surprising to hear that many of the leading players on the professional tours would attest to these principles as integral to their continuing success. The consistency they adopt each of these is perhaps one of the reasons why they are professional golfers.
Plan Your Course Strategy
What is your desired outcome for each hole? Of course, be realistic based on the level you are at and from there, play the hole backward in your mind to determine the best way of achieving this outcome.
A solid rule of thumb to follow is that if you tend to play “bogey golf” (18-handicap or higher), try to give yourself a par putt on every hole. When you are below the 18-handicap level, start striving to achieve birdie putts on each hole and use the handicap index on the scorecard to determine which holes are likely to be more challenging to accomplish this.
If you have access to a GPS or course map that provides a birds-eye view of the hole, pay close attention to the hazards and focus on playing away from those with your tee shot and approach into the green. You can explore some of the amazing golf courses along Alabama's Beaches to start preparing for your next round. While it is exhilarating to hit the green in two shots to give you an eagle putt, be realistic with your ability when playing par 5’s. Perhaps common sense will prevail, and a three-shot strategy will set you up for a birdie, adding plenty of value to your scorecard.
Fairways First, Distance Second
Hitting the ball straight may seem like a simple philosophy. Still, unfortunately, many amateurs fall into the trap of trying to hit the ball too hard and seek distance over accuracy. Golfers who focus on finding fairways with their tee shots and avoiding trouble will likely score better than those looking to hit the ball 300 yards without any care over the direction.
Not only will you likely struggle to find your ball if you venture too far off the fairway, but your approach shots will also be destined to suffer, as it’s much easier to hit from the short grass than deep in the rough. The stereotypical approach to golf has seen a shift in recent decades, primarily through technology and the ability to purchase the latest equipment that is marketed to help you hit the ball further. However, the traditionalists out there will still emphasize the importance of accuracy, and for those just starting out, this is a piece of advice worth following.
Pro golfers have the unique ability to combine distance and accuracy, and while this is something we can all strive to achieve, for those looking to break their best score, hitting the fairways is of paramount importance.
Know Your Yardages
The hours of practice at the driving range and knowledge of how far you can hit each club in your bag will pay dividends on the course. Understandably, you will have certain favorite clubs in your bag but having a solid understanding of how far you hit each club (with the assumption it will be a solid strike) is critical for on-course management.
Play the course with this knowledge and be willing to adapt as you play holes that perhaps have danger short of the green, meaning that you will take a club that you know will fly longer. For the more difficult holes that have danger short and long of the green, trust your swing and be prepared to plan for this with your tee shot, so you can have yardage that you are comfortable with and can take a confident swing to hit the heart of the green.
Lag Putting – Avoid Those 3-Putts
The shortest club in your bag will inevitably prove to be the most important. If you are willing to spend time on the practice green, or even in your home, working on your putting stroke, you will reap the rewards when you are faced with challenging putts on undulating greens.
Golfers of all standards can always strive to improve their putting, and the ability to lag putt from long distances to avoid the dreaded “three-putt” is critical to achieving a good score. Whether you trust your putter, or perhaps you want to buy something new, focus your attention on ensuring your putting is the best part of your game. This will significantly help you achieve your golfing goals.
Stay Hydrated
It may sound obvious, but many people struggle on the closing holes of their round simply because they are not taking in enough fluids during the earlier part of the round. Whether you are venturing to the Alabama Gulf Coast in the heart of summer or playing in the shoulder season, you must stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or energy drinks to ensure your body remains in great shape to close the round.
Drinking water is important, but it’s also crucial that you replenish your sodium levels, either through energy drinks or salty snacks. Many would argue that you can drink something on every hole, but you should be doing this every 2 or 3 holes at most to consistently keep your body in shape.
