Golf Tips: Playing Smart

We've recovered from the parties on New Year's eve and the smorgasbord of great football on New Year's day.  2015 is here and it is time to think about our golf games and how we can improve this coming season.  Here are a few suggestions. Play Smarter Amateur golfers give up many strokes by attempting low percentage or what is often referred to as "hero" shots.  Phil Mickelson may be able to thread a 4-iron through a tiny hole in the trees from a fairway bunker, but the odds of you pulling it off are next to zero.  Take high scores out of the equation and play smarter. The rest of today's tips fall under the play smarter heading, but are worth mentioning individually as well. Putting Most amateur golfers waste a TON of strokes on the green.  This season concentrate on speed, making sure that your lag putts end up in tap-in range.  Eliminate the three and four-putts. Hit More Fairways Fairway percentage isn't terribly important for PGA Tour pros.  Just look at their stats.  They hit the ball so far, that if they miss the fairway they're only a sand wedge to the green.  But most amateurs don't have that game to fall back on.  Take whatever club is necessary off the tee to get the ball in the fairway, even if it is a short iron. Hit More Greens Most amateurs do not get up-and-down very well, resulting in higher scores when greens in regulation are missed.  Forget aiming at short-sided flags or flags tucked behind bunkers.  Aim for the fat part of the green and use the above putting tip to save even more shots.  Two or more possible saved shots in one! Conclusion None of the above tips require lessons or swing changes and they can make an instant impact on your scores.  Put these tips in play for 2015 and watch your golf scores drop, along with more par and birdie putts!