Play the shot that makes the next shot easy. – Tommy Armour

No truer words have ever been spoken.  I am a huge supporter of course management.  I believe that choosing the smart shot over bashing your way around the course is how amateurs break 100, 90, 80 or 70.  Course management is something that takes practice and is unique to everyone.  No two players can manage their round of golf in the same way.  No really, course management is unique to each player.

GolfLink.com states that “Golf course management for a player means understanding how to play the best round possible by using your strengths as a player against the challenges the golf course has to offer.”  This article provides further details on course management, but the main point is that each player must play to their strengths.  If you cannot reach the green on your next shot, hit the ball to your best distance.  For me that is 115 yards.  I would rather hit a full pitching wedge than a three-quarter sand wedge from 75 yards.

“Good course management requires planning ahead” by Joan A. King at Positive Mental Imagery is another outstanding article.  She outlines many excellent tips on how to successfully manage a round of golf.  I especially enjoy how she focuses on the mental aspect of staying focused and being positive throughout the round.  As Jack Nicklaus says:  “Sometimes the biggest problem is in your head. You’ve got to believe you can play a shot instead of wondering where your next bad shot is coming from.”  Staying positive during your round will lower your score.

“A video from the Whittle Golf Tips Series takes a look at some course management. It shows how the seven out of ten rule can be used to make smart decisions in competition and produce the best results.”  This is a great rule.  Play the shot you can hit 7 out of 10 times and find success instantly.

Course management is something that takes time to learn and is unique to everyone.  Playing a round of golf without focusing on your strengths only leads to disaster.  I am confident that everyone can be successful on the links; it just takes focus and the willingness to try new things.  See you on the links!