Course management is a golf term that refers to the strategic decision-making process a golfer employs during a round to navigate the course effectively, maximize scoring opportunities, and minimize risks. It involves analyzing the layout of the golf course, considering one's own skills and abilities, and making calculated choices on shot selection, club choice, and course strategy.

Here are some key points about course management in golf:

1. Pre-Game Analysis: Before teeing off, golfers can study the course layout, noting the distances, hazards, doglegs, and other features. This analysis helps in developing a game plan and identifying areas where strategic decisions will be crucial.
2. Shot Selection: Course management involves selecting the appropriate shots for each situation. This includes considering factors such as distance, wind, slope, hazards, and pin placement. Golfers aim to play shots that minimize risk and position the ball favorably for the next shot.
3. Club Selection: Choosing the right club for each shot is a critical aspect of course management. Golfers need to assess the required distance, shot shape, and trajectory to select a club that gives them the best chance of executing the desired shot.
4. Risk-Reward Assessment: Course management involves weighing the potential rewards against the risks associated with each shot. Golfers evaluate the level of difficulty of a shot, the potential penalties for failure, and the potential gains in terms of scoring. They make choices that balance aggression and caution based on their skill level and the circumstances.
5. Managing Course Conditions: Course management also takes into account the conditions of the course, such as firmness of the fairways, speed of the greens, and weather conditions. Golfers may adjust their strategies and shot selections accordingly to adapt to these variables.
6. Long-Term Approach: Effective course management considers the overall score for the round rather than focusing solely on individual shots or holes. It involves thinking ahead, setting up future shots, and making decisions that optimize scoring opportunities throughout the round.
7. Experience and Knowledge: Course management improves with experience and knowledge of one's own game. Golfers learn from previous rounds, identify patterns, and adjust their strategies accordingly. They gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to make better decisions on the course.

Effective course management allows golfers to play to their strengths, minimize mistakes, and make informed decisions throughout the round. It helps golfers navigate the course strategically, improve their chances of scoring well, and adapt to different course conditions and challenges.

Course Management – a skill when a player uses his strengths of his game to get the ball into the cup in the fewest amount of strokes while acknowledging and managing all the hazards that are on the course. Example. “Todd really used good course management on the par 5 by laying up before the pond and using his good short game by getting on the green in regulation.