Golf is not just played with clubs and balls but also with the mind. Mastering course management is essential for any golfer looking to improve their game from average to outstanding. This article dives into the strategic nuances of navigating a golf course, offering insights that help regular golfers think like pros on the greens.

Understanding the Course Layout

The first step in effective course management is understanding the layout of the course you’re playing. Each course has its unique characteristics—whether it’s the placement of hazards, the contour of the greens, or the firmness of the fairways. Before your round, study the course map and scorecard to familiarize yourself with key features such as par values, index holes, and major obstacles.

Strategic Tee Shots

Every hole begins with a decision on the tee box. Rather than automatically reaching for the driver, consider the safest route to the fairway that will provide the best angle to the green. Sometimes, using a fairway wood, hybrid, or even an iron for better placement is smarter than maximizing distance. The key is to avoid hazards and position yourself for an easier approach shot.

Navigating Hazards

Avoiding hazards such as bunkers, water, and out-of-bounds areas is crucial. When faced with potential trouble, it’s important to play conservatively and choose a route that minimizes risk. For example, on a hole with water along one side, aim to the opposite side, even if it means taking a longer route to the hole. It’s better to be safe and on the fairway than to risk dropping shots with a penalty.

Approach Shots and Green Reading

As you near the green, your focus should shift to making smart approach shots. Understand the safest part of the green to aim for, considering factors like pin position, slope, and existing hazards. It’s not always about aiming directly at the flag but rather about positioning your ball to give the best chance for a putt. Once on the green, take the time to read the contours and plan your putt path, adjusting for slope and speed.

Playing to Your Strengths

Know your strengths and play to them. If you’re confident with your irons but struggle with long woods, plan your game to maximize the use of your best clubs. Similarly, if you excel in putting, getting your ball onto the green in fewer strokes can make up for weaker drives.

Mental Game and Decision Making

Good course management is as much about mental toughness as it is about physical skill. Stay patient, manage your emotions, and make decisions based on logic rather than frustration. Each shot should be made with a clear plan in mind, considering both the current shot and how it will impact the next.

Embracing these course management strategies will not only help lower your scores but also make you a more thoughtful and skilled golfer. Remember, golf is a thinking game—plan strategically, execute wisely, and adjust as necessary.

If you’re sick of watching your ball veer off into oblivion, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Slicing is one of the most common problems amateur golfers face, and it can be incredibly frustrating. But fear not, because I’m The Golf Hacker, and today, I’m bringing you 5 unusual drills that could be your ticket to eliminating that slice for good. These unconventional drills might look a little strange on the range, but they’re effective—and they just might bring that wayward ball back into the fairway.

1. The Towel Under the Arm Drill

This drill is about maintaining proper arm connection throughout your swing, which helps you control the clubface. Take a small towel and tuck it under your lead arm (left arm for right-handed golfers). Make a few swings while keeping the towel in place. If the towel drops, it means your lead arm is coming away from your body, which often leads to an open clubface and a slice.

2. Swing the Pool Noodle

Grab a pool noodle from your local store—it might seem silly, but this drill works wonders for your swing path. Stick the pool noodle into the ground or secure it somehow so that it’s angled along your target line. Now, take your normal stance and try to swing underneath the noodle. This drill encourages an inside-to-outside swing path, which is critical for preventing the out-to-in slice swing that so many golfers struggle with.

3. Step Back Drill

A slice can often be caused by improper weight transfer during the swing. The Step Back Drill is designed to get you shifting weight properly. Start with your normal stance, then take a small step backward with your back foot as you begin your backswing. This forces you to stay balanced and prevents an over-the-top downswing, which is a major culprit of slicing.

4. One-Handed Swings

One-handed swings are great for feeling the correct release and timing. Take your driver and make some swings using only your lead hand. This will help you understand how to properly rotate your forearm through impact and close the clubface, which is essential for preventing slices.

5. The Wall Drill

Stand close to a wall, so when you swing back, the butt of your club almost touches it. This drill helps prevent an over-the-top swing by making sure your hands don’t push out too far away from your body. It helps you stay on plane and encourages an inside-out swing path—ideal for eliminating that slice.

Wrapping It Up

These five unusual drills might make you look a little quirky out on the range, but remember—it’s all in the name of straightening that ball flight. Practice them consistently, and you’ll notice significant improvements in your swing path, clubface control, and, most importantly, a reduction in your dreaded slice. Fixing your slice doesn’t always mean sticking with the same old advice—sometimes you need a little creativity to unlock your potential.

Until next time, keep hacking the game and having fun out there!

Golf is a beautiful blend of art and science, and nothing illustrates this better than shot shaping. As the resident pro at Clickit Golf, I’ve witnessed countless golfers who seek to break through the plateau and add finesse to their game. Shot shaping—controlling the flight path of the ball to curve left or right, or alter trajectory—is the next level for those ready to play with intention. Today, let’s dive into how to control ball flight like a pro and gain mastery over your game.

Understanding Shot Shaping

Shot shaping is all about altering the ball’s path to match the demands of the course. It’s not just about power—it’s about finesse, creativity, and control. Mastering shot shaping allows you to navigate around trees, adjust to tricky winds, or set yourself up for the perfect approach. Generally, shot shapes fall into two categories: fades and draws, with stingers and high shots adding depth to your toolkit.

A fade moves gently from left to right (for right-handed golfers), while a draw moves right to left. These controlled movements can keep you out of trouble and enhance accuracy. The ability to manipulate trajectory is equally important—high shots can help land softly on fast greens, while low stingers are perfect for windy days or getting under overhanging branches.

The Fundamentals of Shot Shaping

To shape shots like a pro, start by understanding three fundamental elements: clubface angle, swing path, and body alignment. Each plays a crucial role in determining your ball’s flight.

1. Clubface Angle: The face of your club is responsible for where the ball starts. Whether it’s slightly open, closed, or neutral, the clubface determines the initial direction of your shot. To produce a fade, keep the face slightly open relative to your swing path. For a draw, close the clubface slightly while swinging from inside the line.
2. Swing Path: The swing path—the direction the clubhead travels through impact—is the key to curvature. To execute a fade, your swing should come across the ball slightly from outside to in. For a draw, focus on swinging from inside to out. It’s this relationship between swing path and clubface that creates spin, ultimately curving the ball mid-flight.
3. Body Alignment: Your alignment will guide the path and influence your ability to execute shot shapes consistently. For a fade, aim your feet and shoulders left of your target while keeping the clubface pointed slightly towards the target line. For a draw, align your body slightly to the right and focus on an inside-out swing path.

1. Practice with Purpose

Set up specific practice sessions dedicated to shot shaping. Use alignment sticks or markers to visualize swing paths, and create scenarios that force you to use different shapes. Remember, muscle memory is critical—the more you practice shaping shots deliberately, the more natural it will feel on the course.

2. Control Your Grip Pressure

Grip pressure has a big impact on your ability to shape shots. A relaxed grip allows for more wrist action, which is key in manipulating the face angle through impact. Experiment with a slightly looser grip when trying to fade, and slightly firmer when hitting a draw—but be mindful not to grip too tight, as this often leads to tension and poor results.

3. Master the Low Stinger

The stinger is one of the most versatile shots in a golfer’s arsenal, ideal for keeping the ball below the wind or navigating low-hanging obstacles. To hit a stinger, use a long iron or hybrid and position the ball slightly further back in your stance. Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead through impact, and limit your follow-through. The key is a shallow, sweeping strike that keeps the flight low and piercing.

4. Adjust Ball Position for Trajectory Control

To add height to a shot, move the ball slightly forward in your stance, widen your stance, and increase the loft through your follow-through. For lower shots, position the ball further back, narrow your stance, and focus on keeping your hands ahead. Making small adjustments to ball position can create dramatic differences in trajectory, giving you more control when it counts.

5. Visualization and Mental Approach

Before executing any shaped shot, visualize the entire path. Imagine the ball’s trajectory, where it peaks, and how it lands. Visualization primes your body to follow through in alignment with your intended shape. Confidence is crucial; hesitation can alter your swing path or grip—ruining the shape. Practice committing fully to the shape you intend to play.

• Overthinking: The key to effective shot shaping is consistency. Avoid overcomplicating your swing by making too many adjustments. Keep changes simple: minor tweaks in stance, swing path, and clubface angle should do the trick.
• Neglecting the Basics: Fundamentals like balance, rhythm, and tempo are still key, even when shaping shots. Be sure not to sacrifice a solid foundation just to execute a shaped shot.
• Ignoring the Lie: The lie of the ball affects your ability to shape it. A downhill lie, for instance, makes it harder to draw the ball, while an uphill lie promotes height. Always assess the conditions and adapt accordingly.

Mastering shot shaping gives you the freedom to truly play the course rather than letting the course play you. It’s about learning to think ahead, solving problems, and finding the best solution—skills that separate scratch players from casual golfers. By understanding your swing and making small adjustments, you’ll unlock the potential to sculpt each shot to perfection.

At Clickit Golf, we believe in helping golfers improve not just through distance, but also with creative strategy and control. Take these tips to the range and let your imagination shape your next round!

Happy golfing, and see you on the course!