Every golfer I know plays golf with a large smattering of hope in their bag. On many slightly wayward shots, they hope that their ball will take a fortuitus bounce and end up with a great lie. Hitting the ball in the woods also delves into the well of hope that first they find their ball and second, they have a shot. There are many other instances where hope plays a crucial roll in their game, but is it really a strategy the leads to lower golf scores. My response to that statement is yes and no!

My non-committal response is purely based on experience. As my journey to playing better golf unfolded, I found that I relied on hope less and less. However, there are certain times during my game when hoping for a great bounce was required. The Gary Player adage of “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” is true today as it was years ago. If a player is luckier, then less hope is required because they likely hit less wayward shots. I know that is my case for sure.

To be honest, hope has helped me shoot lower scores. I remember playing at Osprey Links a few years back and was sitting at even par with three holes to go. On the long par 5, 16th hole, I pulled my ball left into/near the trees and hoped that I had a clear second shot. As I arrived to the my ball I was in the open and had a straight shot up the fairway. I thought all was well until I struck my second shot with my 3 hybrid.

Trying to play to the 100 yard marker, I over steered my ball left (again) into the trees again. I verbally said as my ball sailed to the edge of the trees, “get lucky!” Obviously, I was hoping for a lucky bounce and poof, my ball it a tree and finished in the fairway about 120 yards from the pin. The golf Gods were with me that time. After a solid wedge shot and a two putt, I walked off the green with a par. Talk about avoiding a potential high score. For your interest I finished one over for the day, but was very happy with my round.

Hitting poor shots is not an unusual part of any golfers round. It happens to the best players and definitely happens to amateurs. During those wayward shots, all golfers hope for a great outcome. It seems inevitable that we do….right? However, the more I did practice and play, the less I relied on hope because I hit less wayward shots. It is the evolution of every golfer if they decide to take the time to improve all aspects of their game.

If you are wondering where to start improving, I recommend starting at the pin and working backwards. Work on the fundamentals of your short game before devoting all your time to the ‘Big Dog’. It will quickly lower your scores, improve your confidence and reduce your requirement to use hope as a course management strategy!

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