Golf Course Management Plan.

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC.  We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993.  We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Monthly Golf Tip with the Mel Sole Golf School

Course Management separates the excellent golfers from the mediocre ones.  Whether it is on the PGA Tour or your local club, this statement is true.  Good Course Management is the mark of a Champion!

Have a plan of attack for every hole of your home course. 

Stick to that plan most of the time.  You know the strengths and weaknesses of your game and the strengths and weaknesses of the golf course. So plan to use your strengths against those course weaknesses.

This tip request comes from Bob Harrison of Pawleys Island, SC, who says: "I seem to have trouble getting my round off to a good start. I always start with a 6 or 7 on this fairly easy par 5. What can I do to improve my score on this hole?"

Preparation on the First Tee. Have a Plan.

First of all, make sure that you hit some balls on the range for at least 10 mins before the start of the round. This not only loosens up the swing but builds confidence.  This is difficult to have if you are swinging cold on the first tee.  Without hitting a shot, your subconscious does not know what to expect, and a tentative and sometimes hasty shot is the result.

Once you've hit some practice shots and are standing on the first tee, look at the hole, and decide where to aim your drive. 

Pictured here is the first hole at Pawleys Plantation, a slight dogleg to the right par 5.  The best place to be is on the left side of the fairway. Even the rough on the left is a better place to be than the trees on the right. You will be completely blocked out if you go right, but you can advance the ball fairly well up the fairway from the left hand rough or trees.

Your Second Shot.

Once you have hit your drive on this par 5, you must decide how to play your second shot. Can you reach the green in two? If not, put away that fairway wood, take a middle iron and play safely up the fairway. 

If you can reach the green in two, be aware that the trouble on this hole has now shifted to the left, where there is an out-of-bounds fairly close to the green. It is better to err to the right than to the left, so favor the right-hand side of the green for this shot. Missing the green to the right will still allow you the chance of getting the ball up and down. Missing the green left is stroke and distance!

Your Third Shot.

If you have laid up with your second shot, you should use a pitching or sand wedge for your third. (That is the 100-yard marker just in front) Do not be complacent here. I have seen many amateurs miss the green with this shot because they think it is an easy one and do not take the same time as they do with longer shots. Be aware of the wind, especially as a high shot will be affected more than your last two shots. Take careful notice of the distance to the flag, not just looking at the distance marker, but see whether the flag is on the front or back of the green. (this could affect the shot by one or two clubs). Then factor in the wind, and select your club. Focus on this shot as you would your drive.

Golf Course Management Plan.

Finish out Strong!

Please take careful note of the contours of the green as you are approaching it. You can see contours from a distance that you will not notice once you are on the green. Look at these undulations both down the line and across the line to better "feel" for the break and speed.

Follow these steps, and you'll play the first hole much better, thus setting the tone for the rest of your round. 

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thanks for reading - Golf Course Management Plan.  I hope this strategy helps lower your scores.

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