Golf Course Management Strategy

Strategic thinking and smart decision-making for lower scores

📋 Pre-Round Preparation

Course Knowledge

  • • Study yardage book
  • • Note pin positions
  • • Identify trouble areas
  • • Plan target lines
  • • Consider wind conditions

Club Selection Strategy

  • • Know your distances
  • • Plan for conditions
  • • Consider pin positions
  • • Leave good angles
  • • Factor in elevation

Mental Preparation

  • • Set realistic targets
  • • Plan for mistakes
  • • Positive visualization
  • • Breathing exercises
  • • Focus on process

🏌️ Tee Shot Management

Strategic Tee Club Selection

Driver vs. Fairway Wood

Use Driver When:
  • • Wide fairways
  • • Minimal trouble
  • • Need distance for approach
  • • Par 5s for position
Use Fairway Wood When:
  • • Narrow fairways
  • • Heavy rough penalty
  • • Accuracy more important
  • • Wind conditions

Target Selection

Fairway Targeting:
  • • Aim for widest part
  • • Consider approach angle
  • • Avoid trouble side
  • • Plan for roll
Distance Control:
  • • Avoid awkward yardages
  • • Leave favorite distances
  • • Consider pin position
  • • Factor in conditions

🎯 Approach Shot Management

Pin Position Strategy

Front Pin

  • • Take less club
  • • Higher trajectory shot
  • • Aim for pin level
  • • Accept back of green
  • • Avoid coming up short

Middle Pin

  • • Standard approach
  • • Aim for center of green
  • • Normal trajectory
  • • Most aggressive option
  • • Best birdie opportunity

Back Pin

  • • Take more club
  • • Lower trajectory
  • • Aim short of pin
  • • Use slope to feed back
  • • Avoid going long

Miss Management

Smart Miss Locations

  • Below the hole: Uphill putts easier
  • Fat part of green: More room for error
  • Away from trouble: Avoid water/bunkers
  • Good angles: Easier next shot

Distance Control

  • Know your yardages: Practice with all clubs
  • Factor conditions: Wind, temperature, altitude
  • Club up/down: Swing easier for control
  • Commit to club: Don't second-guess selection

📊 Scoring Zone Management

100 Yards and In

Club Selection Priority

  • • Precise distance control
  • • High trajectory for soft landing
  • • Spin for stopping power
  • • Consistent strike quality

Target Selection

  • • Aim for center of green if unsure
  • • Be aggressive to accessible pins
  • • Leave uphill putts when possible
  • • Consider two-putt zones

Par 5 Strategy

Going for It vs. Laying Up

  • • Good lie and reachable: Go for it
  • • Bad lie or risky carry: Lay up
  • • Need birdie: Take calculated risk
  • • Playing safe: Guarantee good angle

Layup Strategy

  • • Leave favorite distance
  • • Avoid awkward yardages
  • • Consider pin position
  • • Stay in fairway

🌤️ Weather Condition Management

Wind Management

  • Into wind: Take more club, lower ball flight
  • Downwind: Take less club, higher trajectory
  • Crosswind: Aim into wind, let it drift
  • Swirling: Play conservatively

Rain Conditions

  • Wet fairways: Less roll, longer approaches
  • Soft greens: More aggressive, ball stops quickly
  • Grip issues: Extra towels, rosin bag
  • Club selection: Account for less distance

Cold Weather

  • Ball distance: 5-10% shorter
  • Flexibility: Extra warm-up needed
  • Equipment: Hand warmers, extra layers
  • Course conditions: Firmer surfaces