Sometimes, a golf slump has nothing at all to do with the way you are swinging the club. In some cases, it will be all about what is taking place between your ears. There is a lot of strategy in golf, but some players lose their way from time to time with regard to the kind of smart decision making that is necessary for a low score. If we are being honest, some players never even learn that smart decision making in the first place. Whatever the case, getting on track with regard to making good choices may be all that is needed to bring your scores down.
The first keep strategy to keep in mind is that you don’t need to hit driver on every hole. We know that many golfers don’t want to hear that tip, but it’s true. Hitting too many drivers is a sure way to get in trouble. Most golf courses are designed with a number of holes that are suitable for a driver off the tee, along with some that are better handled with a fairway wood or hybrid. It is your job to determine which holes are a good fit for your driver, and which are not. Being smart from the tee can put you in position for aggressive approach shots all day long.
In addition to putting your driver back in the bag from time to time, another easy step you can take is to aim away from some of the pins. A good course setup will include some pins that are placed in accessible locations, while others are hidden in the corners near bunkers and other hazards. You will want to pick and choose your spots wisely with regard to approaches, firing at the flag when there is little risk and playing it safe when necessary. It is always fun to hit an approach shot close, of course, but missing a risky target is a quick way to make a bogey – or worse. Don’t allow yourself to be tricked by the course setup into taking an unnecessary gamble. Be smart, prioritize placing the ball on the green over all else, and trust your putter to get the job done from there.
If you can simply follow the two rules of thumb we have laid out so far – clubbing down on the tee from time to time, and aiming away from the pins occasionally – you’ll be off to a great course management start. Another thing you can do is to not allow your successes or failures on the day to impact your decision making. For example, you shouldn’t be more aggressive after a bogey just because you want to ‘get that stroke back’. The reality is that the stroke you lost on the previous hole is not coming back.
The only thing you can do is move on with your round and do your best to make smart decisions and good swings on the next hole. Taking this level-headed approach to each round is likely to lead to improved results. In fact, some golfers work their way into a slump because they keep trying harder and harder after mistakes – until things have spiraled out of control. Don’t fall into that trap. Golf is not a game which rewards aggressiveness or sheer effort. Be patient, allow yourself to calm down after a mistake, and move on with your day.
In the end, you have to play a brand of golf that makes you comfortable and leads to your best results. Some golfers are naturally aggressive, and that style works for them most of the time. On the other hand, some golfers see great results by taking a patient and conservative approach. There is no right or wrong, except to say that you shouldn’t go against your natural inclination. Be true to yourself and play the type of golf that you feel will lead to the lowest possible scores.
