Grip it and rip it!

The only way to play golf is to hit the ball as hard as I can and as far as I can every time! The initial logic of this style of course management may have you shaking your head, but let me lay out my reasoning.

• By hitting the ball as far as we can off the tee, a shorter second shot awaits the daring;
• A shorter second shot, means a even shorter iron and a greater chance to improve our GIR stat;
• Attacking the pin on every shot results in shorter putts;
• Hitting long irons and fairway woods when possible improves our changes at eagle; and
• Putting the ball with enough speed to roll past the hole ensures the ball always has a chance to drop in.

This is the crazy man’s style of course management. Seeing it in writing, I am sure many of you are thinking I have lost what little of my golfing mind I have left!

Would it surprise you to know that many of the players I routinely see on the golf course play exactly like this? This devil-may-care approach costs players far more than they gain each time they tee it up. But, before we completely dismiss everything, I want to revisit the topic.

In reality, each of these aggressive styles has its place in my golf game. At certain times of every round, one of these approaches works.

• If the fairway has a wide landing area – I try to hit the ball as far as we can off the tee;
• I never try to over-swing a short iron even it means taking a bit more club – A shorter second shot, means a shorter iron and a greater chance to improve our GIR stat;
• I attack the pin when accessible – Attacking the pin on every shot results in shorter putts;
• From the fairway, I hit to a distance unless I can hit my ball within 40 yards of the green – Hitting long irons and fairway woods when possible improves the changes at eagle; and
• I hit the ball with enough speed to roll 8 inches past the hole, every time – Putting the ball with enough speed to roll past the hole ensures the ball has a chance to drop in.

Course management is one of the fundamental keys to lower golf scores. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is important to employing proper course management. Once you understand how you play, your next step is to decide which method best suits your game!

Course management is not an exact science. But, it is a important to great golf. Understanding the best course management method, even the crazy man style, for your game will go a long way to lowing your scores and keeping the honours on every tee!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!