Recommendations on Golf Course Management Decisions to Maximize Your Game

During a round of golf we are confronted with choices with nearly every shot we make.  Some can be not difficult, like selecting a driver on longer, problem-free holes.  Others get a bit more difficult, like if you find difficulties ahead and you've got numerous golf shot options.  This is basically what course management will be, and the more good actions you are making the likelihood of you playing a quality round of golf improve.

Like whichever game, what is found in good decision-making begins with training.  Whenever you are making a choice over golf club selection, being aware of the yardage you'll be able to hit every club on average will go into good golf course management.  You will find this on a driving range, and unless you might be a low handicap player you won't hit a golf club the same length each shot.  In case you rely on your greatest shot distance, most likely nine out of ten shots will come up short, and that is poor golf course management.

An additional need-to-know thing prior to the time you hit the first tee is knowing your strongest and weakest points.  Is usually what makes this more frustrating is your weaknesses and strengths are usually in a state of change.  As for me, there are times when I will be totally confident playing from sand, in addition to other times when I'm quite clueless.  If I know I'm able to hit a sand shot, there were times when I've used a trap like a bail-out spot instead of taking the possibility of hitting the ball into rough that could give me a hopeless lie.  There are virtually numerous situations like this.

Here are a few additional situations which will help your course management decisions:

1.    Driver on the tee.  Frequently this will be the way to go, but don't automatically suppose so.  A few holes set up for additional accuracy off of the tee yet the next shot is more forgiving.  Good course management dictates that you should leave your following shot with a clear swing from a good lie, regardless of if it will take a longer shot.

2.    Be familiar with the percentages.  In poker, drawing to an inside straight can be achieved, but taking such odds will always catch up with you.  You must always take the high-percentage golf shot.  You may manage to accomplish the one-in-ten shot, but nine out of ten times you will be in trouble.

3.    Pitching your ball high instead of chipping it low.  You will find times when you need to pitch your shot over trouble to your target.  However it is a more difficult golf shot.  Keeping the chip low and taking just as much spin off the ball as you are able to will remove one more variable, giving more consistent control.  General rule for ideal golf course management would be to generally keep the golf ball near to the ground for the chip shot.