I was reading a blog by Ian Hardie at GolfHabits.com on a chance to look into the future.  He outlines a way to know where the pins are located on the holes soon to play.  It is brilliant and will definitely lower your score.  His blog makes me think of how anyone can use course management to navigate your way around the links.  As a grateful golfer, I appreciate any advice I can get to improve my score.

I believe that everyone should think about how they are going to play their next round.  How many of us play 30-40 rounds on the same course; play it exactly the same way every time; with the same results.  We all know Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity:  doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Maybe it is time to think about the percentages and try something different.

If you Google course management, you will find many suggestions on how to effectively play your round and lower your score.  Not to be out done, I have a couple of suggestions as well.

As per my earlier post, I believe that greens in regulation is the most important stat.  To achieve this try the following:  First, determine your most dependable and favorite club to hit into the green in regulation.  Second, and if possible, hit off the tee to the distance that allows you to hit your most dependable club.  If that means hitting a 3 iron (hybrid) off the tee; then try it.  On a par 5, do not bash your second shot as far as you can, hit a club that puts you at the right distance.  They use your favorite club, put it on the green and lower your score.

Try using a 7 iron off the tee for the entire round.  It will change your perspective on the course and it forces you to think of a different way to play the round.  It may not lower your score, but it will change the way you think.  As Vincent Peale says:  Change your thoughts and you change your world.

Lastly, play off a different tee.  If you always play the whites, blues, reds or golds, try playing of a different set.  You will be forced to think of new ways to play your favorite course.  It will not hurt your handicap, long-term score or your ego!  I have found that by playing a different set of tees allows me to think instead of just hitting the same club all the time and hoping I eventually lower my score.

Course management is very important.  It is for everyone and will help you lower your score.  What do you think?  Is it really worth trying a new way to play the same course to improve your score?