Play Smart Golf

Did you watch Bill Haas win the Northern Trust Open on Sunday? He up and downed the first playoff hole to move on to the second. On the second playoff hole he pitched out sideways onto the green of a very short par 4. It left him a very long putt for birdie. He made the 20′ plus putt for birdie and the win.
Sure, he one-putted both playoff holes, but that is not the point here. The point is, on the second hole he did not try to be a hero and pitch it close when that was not the best option. Instead, he put his pitch safely on the green and left himself a guaranteed birdie chance and a par at worst.
At the Tour level, and definitely at your club level, you will play better golf if you play smart. Play the shot that you can handle and that puts you in the best position for the next shot.
The Tour Pros do have to take chances sometimes if they want to win. However, in Bill Haas’s situation last Sunday he played his best option not the “hero” option. Ultimately it paid off.
Learn to play “smart golf”.