Has your ego every encouraged you to try and squeeze just a bit more distance from your clubs? You know, trying to eek out an extra 5 or 10 yards instead of clubbing up. I know I am guilty of this needless error for a variety of reasons, but I am starting to understand that this course of action rarely works in my favour. I know that I sometimes gain 5 or 10 extra yards from a club, but that is usually from solid contact or a perfectly in sync swing. The challenge I face is ‘trying’ to hit the ball farther; this is when the my game falls off the rails.
Continue readingego and golf
What Are Your Golf Score Expectations?
Yesterday, I wrote about how to follow up a great round with another great round. I find that the root of that discussion and today’s discussion are directly linked. As a golfer, we tend to downplay or overextend our expectations on the golf course. This is nothing new, but it does point to the mindset that players might not have a true understanding of the skills and ability to score. Where does this expectation grow or be developed you may ask; that is a great question! So, read on to find out.
Continue readingWhat To Do When Your Playing Partner(s) Are Struggling
We have experienced the challenges of playing on a golf team where your playing partners are struggling to make a shot. No matter what they try, nothing seems to work and they are a drag on the team. I have been that player in the past and I am sure I will be in the future. The question is what to do to make things better for the player and the team. Is it possible to fix the poor playing quandary and fast?
Continue readingWho Decides What Golf Shot Is Best For The Team?
You are golfing in a team scramble event and a discussion ensues which ball to use on the next shot. Your team is fortunate because you have three choices for your next shot. Each ball location offers an element of success, but plays to the individual strengths for three different players of your team. The option for multiple choices is good and challenging at the same time. Each player will want to play the ball that best fits their strengths. So, how to make the decision on which ball to play and more importantly to live with the decision!
Continue readingThe Biggest Dilemma in Golf
There is an age-old dilemma in golf! It is on every players mind every time the stand next to their ball wondering which club to hit next. They are at 175 yards, hitting over water, with a wide open, yet tricky green to land on. The dilemma has arrived; play safe or go for it!
I asked this very question a short time ago, and was surprised by the response.
81% of the respondents had enough confidence in their game that they felt going for it was the answer! Personally, I would go for it as well, but I would have to admit, I would not go for it every time. @cencalhack added a qualifier to his comments below and most golfers would agree that “going for it” depends on many factors.
Hitting a long shot over water is difficult at best. There are so many factors that must be considered, that I am not sure we amateurs actually consider them all! So, I thought I would make my list and see if I am forgetting something. If I am forgetting something, please let me know! Here is what I look at when hitting the ball 175 yards, over water, to an open, tricky green:
- Lie. My lie will have to be relatively flat and in the first cut or fairway for my next shot to be an automatic go shot.
- Wind. Which way is the wind blowing and how strong is the wind are definitely.
- Hazards. The water hazard is the most obvious hazard, but what about the hazards by the green. What happens if I hit long, left or right? Are there out-of-bounds markers near the green?
- Feel. How am I playing to this point? If I am playing poorly, well a lay up shot might be the best course management approach. If I am playing well, then pin hunting might be the solution.
My list is fairly generic, but covers most situations. Again, if you have any suggestions, I am all ears!
One final note, ego does play a part of golf. Some players (myself included sometimes) automatically reach for a club when we get to a specific distance or think “that difficult shot” is in our bag. Playing automatically is not good course management and will cost us strokes over 18 holes. So beware of that dreaded ego!
It is important to remember that risk – reward is part of every golf shot!
Regardless of your decision, commit to the shot because anything can happen on the golf course!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 