[lovespellszz]

I hear this term all the time among better players, but have little idea on what it means besides "not going for it". I'm sure it entails avoiding hazards or setting up for the best shot to make GIR. But to those who employ alot of course management to their game, can you briefly sum up what it is you do, maybe a few lessons learned, and maybe a reference or two I can look into? Thanks!

[leijggigf]

This thread might help a few on this subject. Its about playing to a number.

Playing to a Number - The Hackers Paradise

[poonnassunlix]

I've always thought course management was like repairing divots on the green, not walking through people's lines when they putt, stuff like that!

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, JB

[AncewwewBus]

I've always thought course management was like repairing divots on the green, not walking through people's lines when they putt, stuff like that!

That is called course etiquette.

to the OP: Course management is exactly like you stated. Avoid risky shots, play a club you know you can hit straight off the tee on a tight hole, avoid hazards, lay up when you have to. Etc etc.

[poonnassunlix]

That is called course etiquette.

Oh hee hee

[lovespellszz]

This thread might help a few on this subject. Its about playing to a number.

Playing to a Number - The Hackers Paradise

Thanks JB, I did a quick search but didnt see anything recent that was relatively relevant... relatively relevant, theres a first!

[leijggigf]

Thanks JB, I did a quick search but didnt see anything recent that was relatively relevant... relatively relevant, theres a first!

No problem, its a great topic.

[GalasaKoll]

That is called course etiquette.

to the OP: Course management is exactly like you stated. Avoid risky shots, play a club you know you can hit straight off the tee on a tight hole, avoid hazards, lay up when you have to. Etc etc.

I often wonder why "course management" is not just called "course strategy." Then people who don't employ any might take more of an interest. My father doesn't complain about a lot on the course, but lack of course management makes him crazy. He can't understand how anyone can just go out there and try to hit the ball as far as they can.

[marketheal]

Example: you have a shot through the trees where you have about a 5 yard window to hit through to go at or towards the green but there's limbs that hang and make it not as big a window as it seems or a 8 yard window without obstruction to put it back in play in the fairway and then take your shot to the green.Don't be a dumba** like me.Go for the fairway.

[lovespellszz]

Yeah, just a par 5 I played the other day has been really bugging me, decided to think about this topic more. Driver off the tee, the green is open on the left, bunkered in on the right. Decided to 5w it to get it close, ended up slicing to the right onto hardpan. Then ended up in the front bunker, then over the green... you get the picture. Thinking back, I should have just layed up with a 3-4hybrid to a comfortable 80-100 yrds on the left side of the fairway... it's usually my second shot that gets me in trouble. Hindsight is always 20-20, but I'm very nearsighted!

[agrismhig]

Example: you have a shot through the trees where you have about a 5 yard window to hit through to go at or towards the green but there's limbs that hang and make it not as big a window as it seems or a 8 yard window without obstruction to put it back in play in the fairway and then take your shot to the green.Don't be a dumba** like Smallville.Go for the fairway.

Fixed that.

[StethyEntinic]

Course management means different things to different people.

For me it is staying away from trouble while giving my self a better, cleaner next shot. If I am looking at a dog leg left, I want my hit that shot, favoring the right side, and staying out of any trouble that might also be located on that right side. Just the opposite for a dog leg right. I always want to have a next shot from a decent lie, while still being able to see the flag.

When hitting a shot into the green, I want to leave the ball in the best position I can, should I not hole out, to make the left over putt. In my case I am better at up hill putts as opposed to down hill putts, and I favor left to right breaking putts over the those right to left putts. On a flat green, I want to stick as close as possible for an easier left over putt.

On long putts I want to get that first putt to move the ball as close as possible to the hole, so that on mu next putt, should I miss the first one, I don't have to deal with any green imperfections caused by the lay of the land, and/or other golfers.

Another example might be if I can't reach the green on my next shot, I will lay up at 100, 80, or 60 yards from the pin, which should not be confused with the center of the green. I am pretty good from those distances since I have clubs for those distances using my full swing.

Am I good enough make all these types of safe shots, all the time? Nope, but sometimes I do make things easier on myself by trying to pull them off just the same.

And then their are folks who's course management is to just swing as hard as they can, then play it as it lies. The old bomb, and gouge method. Not much wrong with that process as long as they are having fun.

[lovespellszz]

repairing divots on the green)

Wait, Golf Chick, you take divots on the green? What kind of putter are you using?!?!

[lovespellszz]

Wait, Golf Chick, you take divots on the green? What kind of putter are you using?!?!

sacul1573

[GalasaKoll]

And then their are folks who's course management is to just swing as hard as they can, then play it as it lies. The old bomb, and gouge method. Not much wrong with that process as long as they are having fun.

I play often on an old very tight muni and there's a lot wrong with that method there. 90% of the men should leave their driver in their bag, but don't. Makes it dangerous for the rest of us and slows play considerably.

[poonnassunlix]

Wait, Golf Chick, you take divots on the green? What kind of putter are you using?!?!

[GalasaKoll]

[quote]sacul1573

[lovespellszz]

Yeah, had that one coming...

Thanks for the insight Prov. Especially the putting. So much to think about!

[hellenmoranov]

Let's say 95% of your drives move right due to your slice- Why would you aim down the middle? You should aim down left side and let ball move right.Use the entire FWY to land in it. If you happen to hit it straight,no biggie you will just be down left side but in fwy.


Another example except I'm going to speak in my lefty terms cause it's faster,you just reverse it.
hole is only 346 yards
with a bunker on right side that starts at approx 250 and ends at 285yards.Trees down the left.

My options are to hit my natural draw with 3 wood and hope to not over cook it into the bunker or hold it off and maybe hitting a wicked slice. option 2-pull driver ,but choke down 1 inch. Now, I move to the left side of tee box and aim for the bunker with intentions to move the ball away from bunker. (slice for me).If i hit it straight , I should hit it just right off bunker in the rough.Better off there then in the bunker .

[Flirigor]

For my game, golf course management is limiting my "bad misses." I recognize that I am going to have misses quite frequently. What I try to do, however, is manage those misses.

First, I establish what my typical miss might be for the day (e.g., a pull or a weak fade, etc.). From there, I use that information to adjust my attack on the course and turn any potential "bad misses" into an OK miss.

For example, perhaps one day my misses have been pulls. I happen to be 180 out and to the far left of the green is deep rough that would require a shot to a close pin with a downward sloping green (i.e. a tough shot). On the right side of the green, however, is an easy bunker with plenty of green to work with. On this day, I may aim to the middle/right of the green, thereby essentially eliminating the tough shot from the far left of the green, even if I have a pull miss. If I hit it flush, then I will have a decent birdie attempt or at very worst, an easier up-an-down from the bunker.

For me, it is all about knowing my swing and my misses for the day. Some days I am completely confident in my swing and don't need to think much about it; other days I always account for a potential miss. Most days, I am in between those two extremes.