Course management game plan

Setup

1. Pick three to six holes on the course, or a quiet time when the group can play without holding anyone up.
2. Each player brings their carry distances from a gapping session.
3. Usual course safety: check nobody is in range before every shot, wait until the group ahead is well out of reach, and shout 'Fore!' loudly if a ball might hit anyone.

How it runs

1. Before teeing off, plan each hole from the green back to the tee: where is the flag, which side of the green is safe, where is the trouble (penalty areas, bunkers, out of bounds)?
2. Choose a tee target that takes the biggest trouble out of play, and a club that reaches it but not the hazard beyond. It doesn't have to be the driver.
3. Choose the approach target: often the middle of the green, or the side away from a tucked flag next to trouble.
4. Write the plan down in a sentence per hole: club, target, miss side.
5. Play the holes, keeping ready golf and a good pace. On each hole record the score and whether the plan was followed (yes or no).
6. Afterwards, compare: holes played to plan versus holes where the player went for a risky shot. Which scored better?

Coaching points

• Know the Rules that shape risk: out of bounds or a lost ball means stroke and distance (one penalty stroke and replay); a penalty area means play it as it lies or take relief with one penalty stroke. Check your club's local rules.
• Plan with your real carry distances, not your best ever shot.
• The miss side matters as much as the target: leave the next shot from the easy side.
• Aggressive is fine when the trouble is small and the reward is big. Make it a decision, not a habit.

Common mistakes

• Aiming at every flag, including ones tucked next to water.
• Driver on every par 4 and par 5 without a reason.
• Making the plan and then changing it on the tee because of a playing partner.
• Forgetting that a bad hole is often caused by the shot after the first mistake.