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Playing Par 5s: How to Own Them

Published

4 years ago

July 16, 2021

Here’s the deal, golf lessons can be great. If you take them from a reputable club pro, you may learn a lot about swing mechanics, the plane of your swing, tempo, swing speed and even impact position. However, lessons don’t tell you how to look at a golf hole and assess the risk vs. reward. Simply put, lessons do not get into hole strategy.

So, when you are standing on the tee box on hole 16, a 487-yard par 5 with a 245-yard forced carry AND you are playing the round of your life…what do you do? Your golf buddies are saying things like “You didn’t come this far to lay up“ or “Don’t over think it, just rip driver”. They may be right, but without a plan you are basically throwing darts blind. Nothing hurts more than carding a snowman on a birdie hole and nothing will jack up your score as well as your mental game faster than indecision.

We all hate the dreaded “Big Number” and that’s why we are here for you. So, the next time you are in that spot, remember these 5 tips:

Five keys to owning par 5s:

– Don’t just automatically grab driver – Choose the right club off the tee
– Look at your lie – Assess what shot best suits your approach
– Take an extra club on your approach – 70% of approach shots come up short
– Know where to miss – Do not always go flag hunting
– Have a number in mind to lay up to in case you can’t go after it in two

Many weekend golfers hate par 5s because they are long and can seem daunting. The task: you are basically trying to get a 1 ½ inch ball into a 4-inch hole from 5 football fields away! But they also provide great opportunity if played properly. They are a golden goose for birdies and can turn an 81 into a 79 like that.

1. Select the Right Club on a Par 5

I know you heard me before, but this is a huge mistake I see all the time. You don’t always have to hit driver off the tee. You can hit a fairway wood or a hybrid. Shoot If I know I can not get home in two, I hit my 3 iron all day off the box and more times than not am sitting pretty for my approach while my buddies are ball hunting in the woods. Let’s be honest, it’s probably going to take three shots to reach the green any way unless you can bomb it 300+. So, use the club that gives you the best chance of finding the fairway.

2. Look at Your Lie and Assess The Shot

This is the golden ticket to scoring on Par 5’s. Little known fact: The second shot is often the key to beating par 5s. You need to play a smart shot that puts you in the best position to card a 4. Start by looking at your lie; is it in the fairway or first cut, is it a flier lie or sitting down a little bit, is it side hill above or below your feet? All of these will 100% determine what club you can and should hit. Hitting a 3-wood off a downhill side hill lie in the intermediate rough is hard to do. I suggest you take your medicine and lay up to a good number, so you hit the GIR and have a look at bird.

3. Take an Extra Club

This one is huge. Most approach shots come up short. The average handicap for men is about a 15. The average swing speed is 93 mph and produces a 220 yard drive. Ask around, everyone thinks they hit the ball farther than they actually do. Here are some trackman averages for reference. Take an extra wrench and thank me later. You will hit more greens, score better and find yourself shooting lower scores.

4. Know Where to Miss

Now you hit your drive, you looked at your lie, you have the right club for your approach, time to go flag hunting, right? WRONG. You want to look at the green complex and pin placement. You want to see where the greenside bunkers are. Does the green slope down and away or is there a false front? Start taking note of the danger areas and take them out of play. These determinations will help you pick out a landing area for this shot. For the love of the game, do yourself a favor and stay away from trouble at all costs. Play smart and aim center green. Nobody hit it dead straight every time, well maybe the guys on tour, but even they miss a handful of times per round. This strategy of knowing where not to be, allows you to better understand where to be! It gives you the greatest chance of hitting the green even on a slight miss.

5. Know Your Ideal Lay Up Number

There is no shame in laying up on a par 5. More times than not, smart money says it’s the right move. That’s especially true if the flag is protected by water or a massive pot bunker. Sometimes golfers try to pull off a miracle shot on their second from 237 out in the rough under a tree. They end up in the drink and dropping hitting 4 and will likely post a double bogie when its all said and done. Had they just taken the 5 iron out and laid back to 120 in they would have stuck a 9 iron to 15 feet and a look at 4!

Now I am no PGA tour pro golfer. I am a 5.5 handicap and like the Alice in Wonderland quote “I give myself very good advice, but very seldom follow it” I will tell you, however, that on occasion I stumble onto a pearl and feel the need to pass it on. Use this simple five-step approach above when playing par 5s. It’s a practical golf lesson that can help you own par 5s no matter their length or difficulty. That, in turn, will cut strokes from your scores, lower your handicap and have you collecting the $$$ at the end of the round.

BONUS SCORING DRILL:

Here is Today’s Tip… Your Wedges.

Very few weekend warriors practice hitting wedges at less than full distances. Ironically, however, we face these shots all the time on the course. I know I do. The closer your approach shots the better your chance of draining putts. It’s funny, I always told myself that I was not a great putter. I started doing this drill below and low and behold my distance to the pin was tighter and I started making more putts. Turns out, I was not a bad putter at all, I just was hitting my approach shots to 40 feet. Here’s how I fixed it:

Pick three awkward distances — say 25, 50 and 75 yards… then hit five balls at each target. Now, don’t just grab the 60 for all these shots, actually select the club you would use in a round. Give yourself a point for each ball that lands within what you consider an acceptable distance — I use a 15-foot circle. Max score for this drill is 15 points. Whatever you score, try to beat that number the next day, with the perfect score of 15.

I guarantee if you do this a couple of days in a row, or even for just 15 minutes before your round, you will be stunned at the results on the course. Once you score 15, tighten up that proximity the next time. Pretty soon you will be sending those pitch shots inside a 5-foot circle and have you golf buddies jealous as your ex at your wedding.

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Mastering the Art of Overcoming Choking under Pressure: Strategies for Peak Performance

Learn the skills needed to stay calm under pressure.

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

Robert Greenfield

Wooden tiles on a white background spell anxiety, symbolizing mental health awareness.

Imagine this: you’ve spent countless hours honing your skills, preparing for that big presentation, important meeting, or decisive sports match. But, when the big moment arrives, instead of performing at your best, your mind goes blank, your hands shake, and you flub it. The dreaded phenomenon of ‘choking under pressure’ can strike anyone, from the seasoned professional to the eager amateur. So, how do you overcome this common mental roadblock? In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to help you conquer the fear of choking and elevate your performance under pressure.

Understanding Choking under Pressure

Before you can overcome choking, it’s crucial to understand what it is. Psychologists define choking as performing below your ability under pressure. This can be due to heightened anxiety, overthinking, or fear of failure. The irony is, the more you care about performing well, the more likely you are to choke.

Why Do We Choke?

Several factors contribute to choking under pressure. Here are a few:

1. Fear of Negative Evaluation: The fear of being judged negatively by others can cause significant anxiety, leading to poor performance.
2. High Stakes: When the stakes are high, and the outcome is important, the pressure can cause you to underperform.
3. Overthinking: The tendency to scrutinize every detail in high-pressure situations can divert your focus from the task at hand.

Strategies to Overcome Choking

Now that we understand why we choke, let’s delve into strategies to prevent it:

Practice Under Pressure: Simulate high-pressure situations during practice to acclimate yourself to the stress.
Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Concentrating on the process helps keep your mind focused and prevents overthinking.
Use Positive Affirmations: Positive self-talk can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.

Case Studies: Athletes Overcoming Choking

Many successful athletes have overcome choking to deliver exceptional performances. Take Michael Jordan, for example. He often missed crucial shots early in his career but used these failures to fuel his determination and eventually became renowned for his clutch performances. Similarly, Serena Williams has bounced back from choking in several matches to claim victory, demonstrating her mental toughness.

Choking under pressure is a common phenomenon, but with the right strategies, it can be overcome. By understanding the causes of choking and implementing techniques like practicing under pressure, focusing on the process, and using positive affirmations, you can learn to perform at your best when it counts the most. Remember, it’s not about never feeling pressure; it’s about learning how to thrive within it.

As Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” So, next time you face a high-pressure situation, think of it as an opportunity to grow, not a threat to be feared.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to learn more about mastering your mental game, subscribe to our newsletter for more tips and strategies. Or, if you’re ready to take your mental toughness to the next level, check out our other articles designed to help you conquer pressure and perform at your peak.

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Golf Course Aesthetics: Exploring the Artistry of Manicured Landscapes

Imagine standing at the tee of a beautifully manicured golf course, gazing out across a landscape of rolling greens, sculpted bunkers, and artfully placed bodies of water.

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2025

Robert Greenfield

Beautiful golf course surrounded by trees and lake under a clear blue sky.

The Intersection of Golf and Art: Viewing Golf Courses as Living Masterpieces

Imagine standing at the tee of a beautifully manicured golf course, gazing out across a landscape of rolling greens, sculpted bunkers, and artfully placed bodies of water. The course stretches out before you like a canvas, a living masterpiece of design and nature. This is where golf and art intersect, where the game becomes more than just a sport and the course becomes more than just a playing field. It is a crossroads where the beauty of nature and the aesthetics of design come together to create a truly unique experience.

Understanding Golf Courses as Works of Art

Golf courses are meticulously designed and maintained, with every element placed with purpose and intention. They are the result of careful planning, creative vision, and a deep understanding of both the game of golf and the principles of landscape design. In this way, they can be viewed as works of art, with the designer acting as the artist and the landscape serving as the canvas.

The Aesthetics of Golf Course Design

Golf course design is a subtle blend of art and science. Designers must consider a range of factors, including the natural features of the landscape, the skills and abilities of the players, and the overall aesthetic of the course.

Key elements of golf course design include:

Landscape: The natural features of the landscape, including trees, water bodies, and elevation changes, are integral to the design of a golf course.
Layout: The layout of a golf course is carefully planned to provide a balance of challenge and enjoyment for players.
Hazards: Hazards, such as bunkers and water bodies, are strategically placed to add challenge and visual interest to the course.
Green Complexes: These are the areas surrounding the putting surfaces. They include elements such as bunkers, mounds, and grassy hollows, all of which contribute to the aesthetic appeal and challenge of the course.

The Artistic Influence on Golf Courses

Many renowned golf course designers approach their work with an artist’s eye. They view the landscape as a blank canvas, using the natural features of the land and the principles of design to create an aesthetically pleasing and challenging course.

One of the most influential golf course designers, Alister MacKenzie, was actually a trained surgeon before he turned his hand to course design. His medical background gave him a unique perspective on the relationship between the human body and the landscape, and he used this knowledge to create courses that were both beautiful and challenging to play.

In his book, “The Spirit of St. Andrews,” MacKenzie wrote, “A golf course should be a beautiful place, so arranged that it pleases the eye and stimulates the mind, while the game itself brings the muscles into play.” This philosophy is evident in his designs, which are renowned for their natural beauty and strategic complexity.

Golf Course Design and Environmental Art

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of golf course design as a form of environmental art. This is due to the increasing focus on sustainability and environmental conservation in the design and maintenance of golf courses.

An excellent example of this is the work of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who are known for their minimalist approach to course design. Their courses are designed to fit seamlessly into the natural landscape, with minimal alteration of the land. They use the existing topography and vegetation to create a course that is both challenging and visually stunning.

The Future of Golf Course Design

As we look to the future, the intersection of golf and art is set to become even more pronounced. With advances in technology, designers have increasingly sophisticated tools at their disposal, allowing for even greater creativity and innovation in course design.

At the same time, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship, with designers striving to create courses that are not only beautiful and challenging to play, but also in harmony with the natural environment.

In conclusion, golf courses are far more than just playing fields for a game. They are living canvases, where the artistry of design meets the beauty of nature. Whether you’re a golfer or not, the next time you step foot on a golf course, take a moment to appreciate the artistry and design that has gone into creating that space. It’s a testament to the incredible intersection of golf and art, and a reminder that sometimes, the crossroads of different worlds can create something truly beautiful.

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When Golf Meets Supercars: The World Series of Golf Takes Over Skip Barber’s Mexico Resort

World Series of Golf partners with Skip Barber Racing for a two-year luxury sports series at Gran Reserva, Mexico – where championship golf meets supercars starting April 2026.

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2025

Bobby Markowitz

Picture this. You’re standing on the 18th green at Gran Reserva, Mexico, finishing a round of championship golf with the World Series of Golf’s signature betting format still buzzing in your veins. The sun’s dropping low. Your heart’s still racing from that final putt.

And tomorrow? You’re driving a McLaren on Skip Barber’s brand-new racetrack.

Two Sports, One Unforgettable Weekend

The World Series of Golf just announced something we’ve never seen before. A two-year partnership with Skip Barber Racing School that transforms their new Mexican resort into the ultimate luxury sports destination. It’s not just golf. It’s not just racing. It’s both, wrapped into an experience that redefines what a sporting weekend can be.

Starting in April 2026, Gran Reserva becomes ground zero for a completely new kind of event.

Year One: The Foundation

The first year lays the groundwork. You’ll compete in the World Series of Golf championship using their patented tournament format – the one that adds poker-style betting mechanics to traditional stroke play and turns every hole into a strategic showdown. High stakes. Real tension. Golf the way it was meant to be played.

But here’s where it gets interesting. While you’re playing, Skip Barber’s building their racetrack right there on the property. You’ll see construction crews working on what will become one of North America’s most anticipated racing circuits. State-of-the-art simulators give you a taste of what’s coming, letting you experience the thrill of motorsports between rounds.

VIP receptions. Celebrity appearances. Curated culinary showcases that match the caliber of the competition. It’s an invitation-only event designed for people who expect excellence and aren’t willing to settle for anything less.

Year Two: The Payoff

Then 2027 hits. The track is finished. And suddenly you’re not just imagining what it’s like to drive a supercar at speed – you’re actually doing it.

McLaren. Ferrari. Mercedes. Lamborghini. Take your pick and put it through its paces on a circuit designed by people who’ve spent over 50 years teaching professional racers how to extract every ounce of performance from a machine. Skip Barber doesn’t mess around when it comes to motorsports education, and this track reflects that pedigree.

You’ll stay in exclusive luxury accommodations at Gran Reserva, network with athletes and industry leaders, and experience both golf and racing at the highest possible level. All in one place. All in one unforgettable weekend.

Why This Matters

Michael Berg, CFO of Skip Barber Racing School, called it perfectly: “Guests will see the racetrack under construction during our first event and then drive world-class vehicles on it the following year.”

That’s the hook. You’re not just attending an event. You’re watching it evolve. You’re part of the story from day one, and by year two, you’re living the payoff.

Robert Davidman, CEO of the World Series of Golf, added this: “This partnership unites golf and motorsports in an elevated format that caters to international fans seeking competition, luxury, and adventure.”

Competition. Luxury. Adventure. Three words that sum up what makes this special.

Why Sponsors Are Paying Attention

Here’s what makes this different from every other golf tournament trying to get your marketing dollars.

The World Series of Golf’s patent-protected format keeps spectators glued to every shot. Shot-by-shot wagering. Antes that double every three holes. Strategic decisions that matter as much as swing mechanics. It’s golf designed for television, and television designed to keep people watching.

Add Skip Barber Racing to the mix and you’ve got something networks actually want to cover. Over 40 hours of TV coverage. More than 15 million media impressions. Five million-plus social media reach. This isn’t a local tournament hoping for some local news pickup. This is a broadcast-ready event with an audience that’s already paying attention.

The demographics tell the rest of the story. You’re reaching affluent golf enthusiasts who also appreciate high-performance automobiles. International travelers who think nothing of flying to Mexico for a weekend of luxury sports. Decision-makers and industry leaders who network at VIP receptions and actually have the authority to sign deals on the spot.

Title sponsorship gets you naming rights, eight playing positions, and premium TV exposure throughout the broadcast. But even smaller packages deliver value. Hole sponsors get exclusive on-course branding and social media mentions for ten grand. Golf cart wraps guarantee TV and photo exposure because every shot of the tournament includes your brand.

The opportunities are limited by design. Only 18 hole sponsors. Three presenting sponsors. One title sponsor. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Want the details? Check out the full sponsorship packages at wsg.golf/sponsorship.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t your typical golf tournament. It’s not your standard track day either. It’s something entirely new – a two-year luxury sports series that gives you the best of both worlds and raises the bar for what a sporting experience can deliver.

Year one plants the seed. Year two delivers the harvest. And whether you’re attending as a player or partnering as a sponsor, you’ll be there for both.

For player inquiries, contact events@skipbarber.com. For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to sponsorship@wsg.golf. These events are strictly invitation-only, and opportunities won’t last long.

Golf and supercars. Mexico and motorsports. The World Series of Golf and Skip Barber Racing School.

This is going to be something special.