It would be best to hit the fairways, of course, but that isn’t always going to happen. Even the best players in the world miss fairways from time to time, and you are no different. When you do make a mistake and wind up missing the short grass, your next move is going to largely determine what kind of score you write on the card as you walk off the green.

The first thing you need to do after missing a tight fairway with your tee shot is to take a deep breath and calm down. You are going to be frustrated, but those feelings of frustration are not going to help you finish the hole successfully. You’ll only be able to make smart choices moving forward if you can calm down and think rationally about the situation.

Once you get down to your ball, take a moment to analyze all of your realistic options. Instead of rushing to hit the first shot that comes to mind, slow yourself down and think everything through. Can you reach the green with this next shot? Should you just pitch the ball back to the fairway and go from there? What are the pros and cons of each option? It really is important to give this next shot careful consideration before you take action. Only hit this shot when you are convinced that you have determined the proper next step. It doesn’t matter whether that step is to go for the green or just lay the ball up – what’s important is that you are completely committed to the choice.

Believe it or not, tight fairways are part of what makes golf such a great game. They might not be that much fun when you are standing on the tee, but the game would be pretty boring if every fairway was wide enough to catch even your worst drives. Embrace the challenge of playing a tight fairway and do your best to make a relaxed, free swing that sends your ball flying right down the middle. Good luck!