Lower Your Scores By Getting Out Of Trouble Faster

We all get into trouble during a round of golf. Doesn't matter if you're a scratch golfer or a 25 handicap. It happens just about every round. So, given that premise, how can we shoot our lowestscore knowing that we'll be in trouble at some point.

Follow this one simple rule and you will see your scores drop quickly, sometimes dramatically. That rule is...GET OUT OF TROUBLE. I know, Iknow...you were expecting something really deep.

But the truth of the matter is, most golfers do not get out of trouble fast enough. They try a shot they can't pull off 2 in 10 times. And that leaves them still in trouble, maybe even worse trouble. Here's three frequent examples to illustrate the point:

1) You're in a bunker with the pin close to you. You try to blast out right next to the pin and leave it in the bunker.

2) You have trees blocking your shot but decide there is enough room to smash a low hook under the branches. But you hit dead into the trees and now you're really in a mess.

3) Or how about the time you missed the green and had to pitch the ball up onto an elevated green to a tight pin. You tried your lob wedge and left it short, only to watch it roll back down to your feet so you could try it again. Any of these ring a bell?

Here's the easy wasy to lower your score... Just get out of trouble. Let's see what we should have done in each of our examples above. Example #1 -

Unless you are extremely proficient out of the sand like Seve or Gary Player or Phil Mickelson, forget about the great shot. Just put the ball on the green with your most basic bunker shot. This gives youa an easy bogey with still a chance for a one-putt par. But more importantly, it eliminates the dreaded double-bogey or worse.

Example #2 - Instead of the spectacular shot through the trees that probably won't work, play the ball back into the fairway and go on. You'll probably be able to play somewhat toward the green anyway, so you're not really losing a whole stroke. But even if you do, losing one stroke is better than losing two or three trying something nearly impossible.

Example #3 - Tough chip to a short-sided pin on a elevated green. Hit a running chip with a 7-iron up the slope and safely onto the green. Or if you must hit your sand wedge or lob wedge, make sure you hit it hard enough to get safely on the green. Don't try to get it close to the pin if it is not reasonably possible. Just make sure you get on! Here is a great thought to prevent yourself from being tempted to try something with a low chance of success...


Let me repeat that. The stroke-saving shot doesn't have to be your next shot. It doesn't have to be that bunker shot or the unbelievable chip shot. It could just as well be the 20-foot putt that your "safe" play left you. Make that putt and you did just as well as if you'd pulled off that unlikely great bunker shot or chip shot. Or, hit your wedge close to the pin following that shot you safely pitched back to the fairway. Problem is, we know that we can hit some of these great shots sometimes – so it‟s tempting to try to pull off a miracle shot. But reality is, the percentage of success is just too low for it to be a smart play. So, when you have a trouble shot, be honest with yourself.

If you don't have a reasonable chance of pulling it off, then make the safe play and try to save the stroke later.

Now I will say that if you are in competition, especially in match play, the state of the match or the tournament can influence whether you have to "go for it". But even in stroke play, unless it's the last hole or two and you need to gamble to win, you'll find that the safe, smart play will help you shoot lower scores.

… The stroke-saving shot does not have to be your next shot!

For more on how to play better golf go to http://www.learninggolfswing.com

Wayne