Wed. Nov 13th, 2024

It Is What You Leave In Golf

By admin Oct8,2024


Regardless of where your ball comes to rest on the golf course it is important to think about the shot in hand and what you want your next shot to look like. This ‘next shot strategy’ is universal and can be applied to many sports and recreational activities. Unfortunately, like a chess match, many of us solely focus on the current play and disregard the follow on shots. This one dimensional thinking is a challenge as it usually leads to ‘no trouble doubles’. The mental errors of not focusing on future shots adds needless strokes to our score; something that is always avoidable. The challenge for most how do we ingrain the process of looking at our next shot when things go awry.

The approach to using the ‘next shot strategy’ is nothing new. Many low handicap golfers and elite players subconsciously focus on the current shot and two shots after. I have adopted this process early in my career and now it is second nature. Of course it does not always work because of poor execution, but the mental process is solid.

From a previous article I wrote: “Novice golfers worry about their last shot and forget to focus on what is in front of them. Experienced golfers are able to focus on the job at hand. Competitive golfers are able to execute shots under pressure. Professional golfers think about their next shot and how to take advantage of the hole layout.” The point is that thinking about our next shot, like elite golfers, is a process that every golfer should use every time they are working through their current pre-shot routine.

Here is a great video that outlines the ‘next shot strategy’ that we amateurs can understand:

Taking our medicine, as Jess did in her three hole explanation, is another key element of limiting the high score on our card. I still get bitten by ‘no trouble doubles’ from time to time because of poor execution. Rarely do I attempt the high risk golf shot during a stroke play match; I take my time and focus on my current shot and what shot a want to play next. If is a fundamental strategy to my game and it works 95% of the time.

Thinking of what shot I to make after my current one is a course management strategy that works. It is a simple way to play golf and helps limit high numbers on our scorecard. The trick to using this mental process is to ask ourselves what shot we want to hit next. You will find that navigating the golf course is easier and you will likely save a few strokes at the end of your round.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!



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