Strategies for Different Playing Conditions
By Brian Hughes, Keiser University College of Golf Program Director and PGA Master Professional
One of the many challenges we have in playing golf is that the conditions we are playing in are constantly changing. From day to day and course to course, changing slopes, turf conditions, grass heights, temperature, wind, rain, and (the worst case scenario) multiple combined factors, all lead to us wondering, “Why did I play so well yesterday, but today I played like I’ve never held a club before?”
Prepare for Your Next Shot
Likely the issue comes from not spending enough time preparing for each shot like it was the first time we have ever had THAT shot. In other words, we make decisions on club choice and target based on how we have played the shot in the past (which is even worse on courses quite familiar to us) and not what is required today.
Adapt to the Conditions
Adjusting to different conditions is about being aware of all of the factors involved in a particular shot, understanding how those conditions will affect the distance or direction of the shot, making the proper “educated guesses” of club and target selection, and then positioning ourselves to accommodate needed adjustments.
Play to Your Strengths
The successful player also factors in how confident they are in hitting the golf shot presented to them. The great champion Annika Sörenstam once said she would never attempt a shot on the course that she had not had at least a 75 percent success rate within practice. What that statement emphasizes is that she practiced almost every shot imaginable and was knowledgeable and realistic about her chances of pulling it off at that moment. If she decided she wasn’t sure of her ability to hit a particular shot, she would pick an option she knew she was capable of and play that shot.
Practice Strategies
The absolute best way to gain experience in this area is to practice more on the golf course. The practice range is a great area to work on technique but is very limiting. Practicing only on flat lies, good grass, with imaginary targets, and with someone else’s golf balls is hardly preparing you to play. Get out on the course in the evening when it is not busy and play holes without worrying about the score. Put the ball in uneven lies, deep rough, and other unusual locations and try the shot. Pay attention to the quality of contact and the flight of the ball and make adjustments as needed in your pre-swing fundamentals of ball position, aim, grip, etc., to learn cause and effect. The more practice you get in these situations, the more comfortable and knowledgeable you will be when you encounter these situations on the course.
Conclusion
Most golfers feel that part of the beauty of golf is that it is different from one day to the next, so be prepared to adjust your way of thinking. Take what you have learned from past experiences, but don’t be beholden to past decisions. Weigh everything in front of you, put it into the computer we call our brains, make a decision, and most importantly, stick to the decision. Follow that process, and you are far more likely to achieve a result that matches the magic we can produce in the practice range!
Learn more!
Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, we can elevate your game to new heights together. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
