Shot selection and course strategy can be considered part of the mental game. It’s not about technique, it’s about mentally selecting the right shots that will, over the course of 18 holes, give you the best opportunity for a low score. Most amateurs that I play with would benefit hugely from from recognizing the percentage shot, especially around the green. They waste shots by not choosing the right club which means they have a smaller margin for error, leading to a larger number of miss hit shots and more strokes.
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For example, imagine you are 5 yds from the green with the pin about 20 yds away. You are in the fairway with a good lie. What shot would you play? Most amateurs would reach for the sand/pitching wedge or even the 60 degree lob wedge. Those clubs require too much precision to be executed well every time (unless you are Phil Mickleson). You have to be so very clean with the strike and then it is still hard to judge the amount of spin and release on the ball. In addition you can get bad bounces from holes on the green when the ball is coming down from such a height. Try reducing the number of possible variables in the shot by taking a straighter faced club like an 8-iron. The pros or more experienced players will typically try and get the ball rolling as quickly as possible for shots when they have plenty of green to work with. The more like a putt it can be, the lower the number of shots you will take on average.
Imagine you were to play 10 shots from this position with an 7/8-iron and 10 with a sand wedge, which club would give you the lowest score? Try it!
You’ve probably heard golfers say “a bad putt is always better than a bad chip.” This emphasizes the principle because it’s the percentage shot. Next time you watch the PGA Tour and they have plenty of green to work with, notice how quickly they get the ball rolling.
Try this. It would be great to hear your feedback.
*Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort on the Costa del Sol
December 17th, 2009 on 8:17 pm
I have learned the hard way over the years that this concept is true. At one time, I would grab my sand wedge from inside twenty yards without thinking about it. I have learned to play the shot that will give me the best chance of scoring. Chip with a 7 or even a 5 iron. I’ve been known to putt from 30 yards off the green if it would give me a better chance.
December 22nd, 2009 on 5:02 am
Hi Tim,
Good to hear that you are making the right decisions around the green! The short game is biggest difference between the pro and amateur level and a lot of that is knowing the right shot to play.
Keep practicing in the right way! Have you downloaded my free eBook? It contains a lot of valuable mental game tips. You can sign up for it on the home page.
Best,
David
December 22nd, 2009 on 4:31 pm
It’s king of funny how you can dominate miniature golf while being out on a Friday eve with your friends, and then once you try to do the same thing on the actual green, you cant put to save your life. I am not sure if it’s the intimidation? The beer cart girl? or what? So much of the game is mental and one must keep the head clear.