Golf Course Management for High Handicappers to Lower Scores

Many golfers never improve past a certain point in their careers. Some golfers reach a particular handicap and never shoot lower scores consistently. Undoubtedly, golf course management is essential for high handicappers to lower scores and improve dramatically in a short period; however, good course management can benefit all golfers of every skill level.

Let’s break down some key factors to consider when managing your game on the course.

Stay in Play All Day

Although I used a catchy headline for effect and to grab your attention, it remains true: if a high handicap golfer (or any golfer) can find a way to keep the ball in play off the tee—meaning in or near the fairway—for the entirety of their round, their scores will benefit greatly.

To break down keeping the ball in play off the tee further:

If you usually hit driver off the tee but find yourself missing the fairway most of the time, it’s time to consider hitting another, more accurate club for you off the tee box. For example, if you miss the fairway 70 percent of the time with the driver but your 3-wood puts you in the fairway 70 percent of the time, it’s time to start hitting 3-wood off the tee.

You may say, “but I’ll lose distance and will be hitting longer clubs into the green.” True, but if we miss the fairway with your driver most of the time, how often do we hit the green on our next shot when playing from the rough or trees? Likely, not too often.

You should find a club that will put you in the fairway while still giving you a reasonable distance; in other words, refrain from hitting a 7-iron off the tee.

Play Away from Trouble

Whenever possible, play the high-percentage shot and play away from trouble. For example, if your approach shot calls for hitting over water to a pin tucked in the back left side of the green and a bunker sits directly in front of it, then play to the center or right side of the green. Your job is to minimize your misses and give yourself the best opportunity to get up and down if you miss the green. For those who are not golf savvy, up and down refers to hitting a pitch, chip, or bunker shot around the green and making the putt, ideally for par or better.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of playing away from trouble and hitting the high-percentage shots—which are least likely to end in disaster. Playing smart and away from trouble can and will card a lower score on the golf course.

Know Your Distances

It’s essential to know your club distances, especially when playing into greens. High handicappers may struggle to hit greens in regulation, but knowing their distances can help them make better club selections and improve their chances of getting up and down for par or better.

To figure out your club distances, head to the driving range and hit several balls with each club, noting how far you hit each one using a rangefinder designed for golf. You can also use a golf GPS device or smartphone app to track your distances during a round of golf. Once you understand your club distances well, you’ll be able to make better decisions on the course and avoid costly mistakes.

Choose the Right Tee Box

Choosing the correct tee box is crucial for high handicappers and all golfers to lower their scores. Playing from the forward tees or tees that match your skill level can make a massive difference in the level of difficulty and enjoyment of the game.

Playing from the wrong tees can lead to frustration and higher scores. High handicappers should consider playing from the forward tees or a tee box that allows them to hit shorter shots into greens and avoid trouble on the course.

Golf is a game and should ultimately be treated as such because it’s meant to be fun and enjoyed by all. If golfers put more pressure on themselves by playing the game in a way that goes against their skill level, the game will cease to be enjoyable.

Practice Smart

Although the practice is not necessarily related to course management, and practice does not make perfect, it certainly helps. High handicappers should focus on practicing smart and working on the areas of their game that need the most improvement. For example, if you struggle with chipping and putting, practice those shots more than hitting drivers on the range.

It’s also essential to practice with a purpose. Have specific goals for each practice session, such as hitting a certain number of fairways or getting up and down from various locations. This type of focused practice will help you improve faster and ultimately lower your scores on the course.

Short Game is Key

I’ll take this opportunity to mention the importance of practicing your short game and putting because there may be no other aspect of your game that will improve your scores quicker and more than your short game.

One way to practice the short game with intent is to hit different shots around the green and by practicing the high-percentage shots that are easier to hit and give you a better chance to get the ball close to the hole without bringing higher scores into play.

For instance, instead of practicing high flop shots, work on getting the ball on the green as quickly as possible and letting it run out toward the hole. By hitting pitch and chip shots in a way that allows for more room for error, you are sure to give yourself more room to hit good and bad shots.

Stay Positive

Golf is a mental game, and staying positive can make a big difference in your scores. High handicappers should avoid getting down on themselves after a bad shot or hole and instead focus on the positives of their game. Even if you’re not hitting every shot perfectly, find something positive to focus on, such as hitting a great approach shot or making a long putt.

Staying positive can also help you avoid making mental mistakes on the course. Instead of dwelling on a bad shot, focus on the next shot and what you need to do to put yourself in the best position to make par or better and play better golf.

Course management is essential for high handicappers to lower scores and improve their game. By keeping the ball in play, playing away from trouble, knowing your distances, choosing the correct tee box, practicing smart, and staying positive, high handicappers can make significant strides in their golf game and, ultimately, lower their total score. These tips can also benefit golfers of all skill levels and help them improve their game.