Golf strategy mirrors that of a chess game. It is important to set up the next shot (sometimes two or three shots down range) in order to make magic happen on the course. This process of course management is simple, but often forgotten by many amateur duffers. How we set up a golf hole from the tee box will determine, with all things being equal, if the hole is going to be easy-peasy or a grind. It really is a matter of analyzing what is in front of you and taking the path of least resistance.

Every time I approach the tee box, I look at what the hole has to offer. I rarely hit the ball from the center of the teeing area because most golf holes are designed to just smash away. Having said that, I do have a few rules I follow with respect to where I tee up the ball that has saved my many strokes over the years. But first, Michael Breed offers a great explanation on where to tee your ball in order to make our next shot or two easier.

The following guidelines are fall into my 80% rule of playing golf. There is never a 100% solution to each shot, however I try to minimize the challenges of each hole by playing smart. Here is how I approach my teeing strategy:

• I generally tee my ball up on the side of the greatest hazard in order to hit away from it. This allows a greater percentage of success by staying out of trouble off the tee.
• I choose my landing area that allows for the best position for my next shot. Sometimes this spot requires me to club down from driver, but that is a game day decision.
• I have a range of distance that I am comfortable hitting from, but I try to be within 150 yards as a rule. This on holes that are 350 yards in length, a three wood or hybrid would be acceptable off the teeing area.
• I select a flat area on the tee box. I know this might seem like a crazy statement, but many tee boxes are not as flat as we would hope when we get to the out areas of the teeing area.
• Lastly, I choose a small target down range. I actually speak (sometimes out loud) the target area to let my brain know what my body needs to do. Aim small miss small helps when making decisions on the tee box.

There are other factors I assess in order to select my hitting spot on every hole. The point is that I minimize the challenges of hazards and other challenges by looking at what the hole has to offer. Sometimes, moving 3 or 4 feet right or left makes enough of a difference to make a bogey hole into a birdie hole. This type of course management strategy is simple, easy to replicate and repeatable. All the fundamentals I like to use when developing a golf process for my game.

The next time you walk onto the teeing area. Take 10 seconds to analyze what the golf hole has to offer. Make a decision to place your ball in the location that will best set you up for success. It is not a difficult process, but one that will save you strokes in the long run.

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