It’s important to be realistic when you play golf. Take one shot at a time and and choose the correct shot based on your ability. Let’s take a look.
What do I mean by “Be Realistic.”
Let’s use me for an example. I’m about a 10 handicap putting, but my approach shots are more like a 20 handicap at the moment.
I practice putting quite often, but I play less and practice my approach shots less frequently.
I play on a Championship Par 3 course most of the time.
That means the greens are well protected and challenging.
It would be easy to dream of getting a par on every hole. That’s just not realistic when you could 3 putt every green easily and tee shots are difficult.
The hole above is over water, with traps front and back, it’s narrow with undulation everywhere except a flat spot just over the front trap.
My goal is to hit it onto the flat spot and two putt.
This is actually a good example of a sucker pin location. Left of the pin can leave a severe downhill. You could putt the ball right off the green. Right of the pin is a false front and you could roll right off the green.
You really need to walk up to the hole and figure out where to leave the ball for you second putt.
Normally, you would always aim above the hole. Getting to aggressive above the hole might mean your ball doesn’t stop and rolls off the green.
The bottom line is practicing challenging putts like these.
Let’s look at a couple holes
This year more than most, I’ve tried to play to my strength which is putting. That means that if I hit the ball on the green and I’m within 50 feet, the chances of my 2 putting are pretty good.
Being realistic means I need to assume before I start that I’m NOT going to shoot a 27.
Have I ever shot par for 9 holes. Yes, I shot a 36 on a regular course and I shot in the 70s for 18.
I was a lot younger then, I practiced more and played a lot more.
#1
This hole normally plays about 140 yards. The green itself is one of the most friendly on the course.
However, there are some features that would make it a challenge to make par.
I’ve learned to play a small draw short of the green and let it run on. That leaves an uphill first putt.
Many times, I’ve tried to play the perfect shot and ended up in the trap, in long grass, on a berm or over the green facing challenging short game shots.
My goal here is to try to make a par, but to score no worse than a 4.
Here again according to my handicap. If I make all bogies I’m actually doing pretty well.
#2
This hole is a trouble hole for me. I feel fortunate to bogie this one.
For an older guy like myself, long Par 3s can be a challenge.
This one is usually set at around 170 yards, it’s narrow, has water all the way to the green and the green is severe.
There is only one flat spot on the green.
You absolutely need to hit this one straight.
If you don’t hit it straight, hitting it short in front of the green is best.
Then you need to rely on your short game to take no more than 4 shots total.
Not only is it a challenge to land the ball on this green, but I’ve putted the ball right off the front of the green depending where they put the flag.
Again, I’m not even thinking about a par here. If I do get a par here it’s a bonus.
Conclusion
I’m not going to do a play by play of every hole.
My point is that you need to be realistic and play one shot at a time.
I tell people all the time, “Play according to your strength. Play within yourself.”
I’m not saying you shouldn’t try for par or better. However, if you are taking risky shots all day…you could make double bogies or worse.
That’s not being realistic.
Some examples of my thoughts at our course would be:
• If I miss the green on a long Par 3, where is the best place to take my second shot?
• I have a long putt (over 20 feet), where do I want to leave the putt if I miss? Uphill and straight in.
• Keeping your knees, hips, chest and shoulders square is important when putting. Especially, on makeable putts of 20 feet and under.
Example: My most common fault on 4 to 5 foot putts is a left miss. My shoulders are most likely not square when I do that.
It’s difficult to be proficient at every type of shot when you only play once a week.
I used to play or practice up to 5 times a week. Even then my best handicap was 8.
Low scores are tough to record when you are taking chances all day or if you end up with shots you never practice. So, be realistic.