5 STEPS TO SUCCESS
KEY AREAS
- swing fundamentals
- short game techniques
- competition strategy
- course management
- mindful golf
COMPETITION STRATEGY
STROKEPLAY
- play percentage golf
- rewards steady golf
- rewards patient play
- requires careful course management
- every shot or putt counts equally whether perfect / good /average or bad
- if you think you can make the shot = go for it
- if not = lay-up
- try not to think about which hole you ‘supposed’ to par or bogey
- don’t turn one bad shot into a compounded disaster
- know when to take opportunities
- know when to play safe
- play the shot that’s in your comfort zone
- play the shot that will give you the next easiest shot
- stay out of trouble as best you can
- do you really need to hit driver off the tee ?
STABLEFORD
- go for it !
- just points or blobs = no high scorecard numbers
- mark where you get shots on your scorecard
- rewards risk taking
- opportunity to do shots wouldn’t normally try
- one or two disasters early on doesn’t derail your round
- easy to count up your score at the end
MATCHPLAY
- how you play under 1 to 1 pressure head to head
- where do you get or have to give a shot ?
- don’t be too affected by difference in handicaps or years of experience
- take each new shot & each new hole as it comes
- take it one shot a time
- don’t dwell on poor shots or lost holes … clear your head & move on
- don’t be overly affected by her good or bad shots
- don’t be overly affected by your good or bad shots
- don’t assume she will give you a short putt
- don’t feel you have to give a short putt
- try to play a patient game
- try to keep your chin up
- try to keep your cool when things go wrong
- dig in … it’s never over till it’s over
FOURSOMES
- alternative golf shots is most difficult format
- hard to get into a rhythm
- accept you will be in some unfamiliar places
- you may not have a long putt for many holes
- apologize to your partner before you start but not on the course!
- you both will make mistakes which you didn’t mean to do
- you both will be trying your best
- do a combined analysis before you start
- who is the better driver / which are toughest driving holes?
- are there any par threes which gives concern ?
- decide who is driving odd or even holes
- give best possible shot to your partner
- play it relatively safe & conservative
- don’t take inconsiderate risks
- always take your putter onto green whatever length of partner putt
- don’t assume they will hole it!
- quick form of play
- good for beginners … only half the shots to play
- key format for pro Ryder Cup & Solheim Cup
- key format for amateur Walker Cup & Curtis Cup
GREENSOMES
- comprises main elements of foursomes
- good mixed format / beginner format / quicker play
- added luxury of both teeing off on every hole
- more forgiving / less pressure than foursomes
- driving becomes fun !
- less pressure for par 3 tee off shots
- furthest drive / nearer the green is not always best strategic option
- choose best option for second shot
- which of you got best chance of hitting next shot well ?
- don’t spend too long deciding plan
- 2nd plan shots don’t always work out
- accept you will both make mistakes … don’t apologise … we’re not perfect!
- may be difficult to find your rhythm
- will find yourself in unfamiliar places
- enjoy it … don’t overthink it !