Golf is a extremely precise target oriented game. This gives potential for different strategies and styles of play, also known as course management. The ability to score in golf is related to the decisions you make and the targets you do or don’t choose. This give room for fast and reliable improvement.
During a normal driving range session, how much time do you spend trying to hit your target? That’s assuming you have chosen one in the first place. The moment a golfer decides to start swinging with the intention of target is when he starts enjoying the game. I think that most golfers on the driving range are thinking about different parts of their swing with little attention given to the target. Learn the difference between aim and alignment.
As it relates towards your chosen target, you must learn how to fall. That is to say, golf truly is a game of misses. A professional skateboarder when trying a new trick doesn’t expect to fall, but if he does, he has learned how to fall properly so he can get back up and try again. Similarly, if you hit a terrible shot, you better be sure you can recover and get back up.(quickly) Without doubt, most golf courses allow easy opportunities for recovery also can make you crash and burn. Learning how to miss (taking advantage of the opportunities) goes hand in hand with picking the right target. As fun as they are, you never want to put yourself into a situation were you need to pull off a flop shot. Never short side yourself. No excuses.
You have come to the 18th hole on track to shoot your best round of golf. It’s not an easy hole, but you have pared it before and a par will earn you your best. 150 yards out to a front right pin. You know your good swing with an 8 iron will put you right at the number. You take dead aim at the pin; in hopes to shatter your best and make birdie. Since you drove it in the left rough your ball was sitting down; inevitably the ball came up short and landed in the water. Your attitude was positive; however, your decision making reflected no preparation towards missing(falling). Landing a ball in the water shows no room for getting up, just sinking. It’s possible you were persuaded to make that decision because of your current score, which should be avoided at all costs. Instead, knowing your percentages from 150 yards, you could have errored on the safe side by taking a 7 iron. Landing the ball past the pin and taking your chances with holing a long putt ensures par, assuming you can get down in 2.
You don’t always have to aim at the pin. Anything outside of 120 yards should be played for securing par, inside 120 yards puts you in attack mode. It may help you to develop a game plan before you tee off, disciplining yourself to stick to the game plan. Of course, there are some factors that may force you to change your game plan. For example, on Sunday if your 2 shots back with 4 to play. The objective is to win.
