A crucial course management mistake costing golfers strokes—and the smarter aiming strategy | Instruction | Golf
Account for your shot pattern
A key course-management error is aiming straight at the flag without considering where shots tend to land. The instructor says golfers should understand the spread of their shots around an intended target, since no one hits every shot perfectly.
Shots may miss left, right, short or long. Knowing a golfer’s predominant miss can help determine an aim point that leaves even an imperfect shot in a reasonable position.
Aim away from trouble
A golfer who commonly misses left faces added risk when the flag is positioned on the left side of the green. Aiming directly at the flag raises the chance of finishing short-sided.
Aiming toward the middle of the green offers more room. In the example, the same left miss could leave the golfer with a birdie putt.
Plan for imperfect shots
The instructor recalls a student who might have thought a shot was aimed at the flag and executed exceptionally well. In fact, the instructor had missed the intended target, but the strategy meant the result was still good.
The distinction, the instructor says, is between managing the course well and depending on perfect execution. The guiding advice is to pick a conservative target and make an aggressive swing.
Key points
- Consider your usual shot dispersion before choosing an aim point.
- A left-side pin can make a golfer’s common left miss more costly.
- Aiming toward the green’s middle may leave more room for error.
- Choose a conservative target and make an aggressive swing.