How To Learn From Your Golf Scorecard
There is one thing about the game of golf: score cards don’t lie. Ok I will agree with you on one point. I have played a number of rounds in my life where I hit the ball very well, putted great and got nothing out of the round.
On the other hand there have been many rounds where I couldn’t find the golf course. I was lucky no one got hurt. However at the end of the day when I added up the score card I was very pleased with the number.
You have to keep in mind that golf is NOT one round. It is a lifetime experience. The only way you are going to improve is to continue to punch holes in your score card and find out what part of your game needs work. That does not happen in one round of golf.
I know you are wondering where you should start. There are a couple of stats that jump out at me. Start with the driver. You have to track every tee shot. Keep a blank score card in your pocket and after every tee shot record whether you hit the fairway or missed to the left or right.
The next statistic that will help you lower your score is did you short side your approach shot? It doesn’t matter if it is the first, second, third or even fourth shot of the hole. Did you short side yourself? The definition of short siding is when you leave your approach shot in a position where you don’t have any green to work with.
Everytime you prepare to approach a green you have to ask yourself the 10 million dollar question. What side is the short side? The safe side might leave you with a 30 yard pitch shot with nothing but a tiny fringe and then the putting green in front of you. The short side might leave you with a 7 yard LOB shot over a bunker with a 12 foot lip and a slope running straight down hill to the hole. You do the math. It doesn’t take many of those a day to ruin a good round of golf.
Lastly, grade your attitude before you tee off, when you make the turn and when you walk off of the golf course. It is a great stat to keep track of. If you can maintain an upbeat and fun attitude your scores will reflect it. I have gone on record for years as saying that I haven’t found a more enjoyable place to spend four hours than a golf course-when I am playing well and having fun. On the other hand it is the most miserable place to be for four hours when you are struggling and not having fun.
Remember, if you use them correctly, score cards don’t lie.
