October 9, 2024 3:15 pm

It is only fools like me, who supposedly play off scratch, that are meant to par every hole. You will have a handicap, so use it. Let’s make the maths easy.  If you are an 18-handicap that means you have a shot a hole to play with. So, on that terribly difficult 425-yard par 4 hole, you do not need to be on the green in two shots. Instead, you can break those 425 yards up into three smaller, manageable segments. The tee shot, for example, could be hit 175 yards with a 3 wood, or something even smaller and more reliable. The second shot can be hit 150 yards with a hybrid rather than forcing a risky 3 wood off the turf. Much less likely to end in disaster. Now you have a 100-yard wedge shot to the green. Execute these three doable shots well and follow them with two putts. Result: you walk off that hole with two stableford points, and a feeling of quiet contentment.

Sensible club selection

Ask yourself this. How many times have you taken that stroke index one brute on with the driver, only to find grass long enough to keep the cattle grazing for weeks? Or let’s imagine your drive has exceeded expectation and is now residing resplendent in the middle of the fairway. Flush with success you go for broke with the 3 wood off the fairway, only to see it scuttle off at an acute angle into the bushes. We’ve all done it.

Sensible play is not timid play. Statements like “go big or go home” are not helpful.

How about using your handicap sensibly to go home with a good score?

Categorised in: Tip of the month