You're Correct!

When it comes to par 5s, golf course management really does matter. It matters on every hole not just on par 5s, but because these are the longer holes, you will see that if you are making bad decisions, they will show up a little bit more on par 5s and will affect the score that you achieve.

Before you begin playing the par 5, look at what lies before you. Where is the best position to be in from the tee and what is the best club to achieve that with? Now hit your tee shot. Look at the position it has left you in and rather than just going for it, if you are not hitting your 3 wood well that day, or your 5 wood, it might be worth considering dropping down to a hybrid, or a utility club that you know you are hitting better. Rather than just going for it, drop down in club. Hit a better shot that goes further because you hit it from the centre of the club face, rather than hitting a bad shot with a club you are not happy with.

Similarly, if you look at the layout of the hole and you have got fairway bunkers or ponds to contend with, it is not worth just going for it if you end up in the hazard. If you know the yardage to the hazard, work out the most suitable club and if you need to play a lay up shot, play a lay up shot. Do not just go for it and then end up in the hazard, having to take a penalty shot, or being stuck in a fairway bunker, which is going to cost you an additional shot to get out of. It would be much better to lay up slightly short and then play your next shot up the fairway so that you achieve the lowest number of shots possible.

Have the strategy that you are going to play each hole in the lowest number of shots possible and before you start to play the hole, have a look on your course planner at how you are going to play the hole in the lowest number of shots possible.

Sometimes this would be the smart play but it may leave you a long way short on a par 5. Use your course management skills to play the shot that is required.

Depending on the length of the hole, your favorite club may be wholly unsuitable. Use your course management skills to match the correct club to the required shot.

Yes you do want to play aggressively if you are going to get a low score out on the course, but you do need to consider the risk and the reward of doing that. Sometimes just playing aggressively and going for absolutely everything results in shots being played that really are beyond your capabilities. They get you into trouble and then your score starts to go up. Remember you are trying to take the lowest number of shots possible so look at what is in front of you, decide what is the best strategy to get the lowest number of shots possible and then stick to that. It does not necessarily mean going for everything.