Golf Tips » February 2000 – Course Management

This tip request comes from Bob Harrison of Pawleys Island, SC, who says:

"I seem to have trouble getting my round off to a good start. I always start off with a 6 or 7 on this fairly easy par 5. What can I do to improve my score on this hole?"

First of all, make sure that you hit some balls on the range for at least 10 mins before the start of the round. This not only loosens up the swing but builds confidence which is  difficult to have if you are swinging cold on the first tee.  Without having hit a shot, your subconscious does not know what to expect, and a tentative and sometimes hasty shot is the result.

Once you’ve hit some practice shots, and you are standing on the first tee, look at the hole and decide where  to aim your drive. 

Pictured here is the first hole at Pawleys Plantation, a slight dogleg to the right par 5.  The best place to be is on the left side of the fairway. Even the rough on the left is a better place to be than the trees on the right. You will be completely blocked out if you go right, but you can advance the ball fairly well up the fairway from the left hand rough, or trees.

Once you have hit your drive on this par 5, you must decide how to play your second shot. Can you reach the green in two? If not, put away that fairway wood, take a middle iron and play safely up the fairway. 

If you can reach the green in two, be aware that the trouble on this hole has now shifted to the left, where there is an out of bounds fairly close to the green. Now it is better to err to the right than the left, so favor the right hand side of the green for this shot. Missing the green to the right will still allow you the chance of getting the ball up and down. Missing the green left is stroke and distance!

If you have laid up with your second shot, you should now use a pitching or sand wedge for your third. (That is the 100 yard marker just in front) Do not be complacent here. I have seen many amateurs miss the green with this shot, because they think it is an easy one, and do not take the same time as they do with longer shots. Be aware of the wind especially, as a high shot is going to be affected more than your last two shots. Take careful notice of the distance to the flag, not just looking at the distance marker, but see whether the flag is on the front or back of the green. (this could affect the shot by one or two clubs). Then factor in the wind, and select your club. Focus on this shot as you would your drive.

Take careful note of the contours of the green as your are approaching it. You can see contours from a distance that you will not notice once you are on the green. Look at these undulations both down the line and across the line for a better "feel" for the break and speed.

Follow these steps and you’ll play the first hole much better, thus setting the tone for the rest of your round.