Golf Tips: Strategizing Backwards

Today we are going to talk about how we should game plan on par-5 and par-4 holes.  The goal is to play to our strengths if possible, picking the the highest odds and best yardages for our best clubs.  One easy way to do this is to play the hole in your mind backwards, figuring out what clubs are best.  Let's take a par-4 first. Par-4 What is your strongest approach iron or iron group?  For the sake of argument, lets say that you are best with your 7-8 irons.  Not as confident in longer irons or wedges.  Therefore, the best approach shot with the highest probability of hitting the green is going to be your 7-8 iron.  Lets say that the 7-iron goes 160 yards.  If the par-4 is 400 yards, we will subtract 160 from 400 which leaves a yardage of 240.  240 is the number of yards you want to hit your tee shot.  Depending on your length off the tee that club could be anything from a driver to a long iron or hybrid.  Pick the club from the tee which puts you at 160 yards, playing to your approach strength. Par-5 In the case of my own game, my strength is with full wedges.  My 56 for instance, goes 105 yards.  A shorter shot of say 50 yards is much tougher as it is a half swing.  When playing a par-5 backwards mentally I'll first determine if I have a legitimate shot at reaching in two.  If I do, I'll pound the driver and then a 3-wood or whatever club it takes to get there in two.  But if I determine the hole is a 3-shot proposition, I'll want to position myself so that the 3rd shot is at 105 yards.  So lets say the hole is 550 yards.  Driver off the tee goes 265 yards.  550-260=290.  With 290 left to the green I'll then subtract 105 from that number.  290-105=185.  So for me to have a perfect 105 yard 3rd shot, the 2nd shot needs to travel about 185 yards.  So in my case a 5-iron or maybe a 6-iron 2nd shot is the best.  A bad choice is a 3-wood which would go 240-250, leaving that dreaded and tough 50 yard touch shot. Conclusion Play each par-4 and par-5 backwards in your mind, and strategize the best approach clubs.  You'll hit more greens in regulation, making more pars and birdies.  Lower scores.