Keep the ball in play. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, your first goal is to keep in play. Always select the club and the shot that gives you the best opportunity to use the least amount of strokes. If you are not hitting your driver well, use a three wood., a five wood or even a five iron. Unless your Tiger Woods, shorter and straighter is always better than longer wider.

Develop and stick to your pre-shot routine. To play well you need to have consistency. By consistently keeping with your pre-shot routine, you increase your odds of consistent play. This is the most important ingredient and the first step to consistent play. I have often been tempted to skip or modify my own pre-shot routine. During these times, when your not playing well and you have become frustrated and impatient, your pre-shot routine becomes even more important. Show me an inconsistent player and I will you show you a player with an inconsistent pre-shot routine, always and every time.

That magical marker at 150 yards. This is another big key in course management. My goal is to always play three or less shots from 150 yards and closer. If my tee shot has left me in a nasty predicament, the goal is to leave my next shot inside the 150 and in the fairway. Thats all I need. If I can hole out in three or less shots, I am looking at a bogey (On Par 4's) at worst and possibly a par save.

Many studies have revealed the average 20-30 handicap golfer takes 4 strokes to hole out from 150 yards. The average scratch golfer takes 2.5 strokes. Over 18 holes that's 27 extra strokes. Let me repeat that's 27 EXTRA STROKES. One more time, the average 20-30 handicap player takes 27 more strokes from 150 yards than a scratch golfer. That's the same stroke count as their handicap. Lights and sirens should be going off all around you.

If you can eliminate just a half stroke from your average at 150 yards, you can cut your handicap by 9 strokes. Thats just one stroke every other hole. By spending more time practicing your short game and smart course management you can improve your play from this distance and you can easily take 9 strokes off your handicap.

Start by learning the average distance you hit each club. Inflating the distance will only hurt you. Go to the range and hit each club ten times. Record the distance and get your average. Record every shot, whether you hit it well or not. DO NOT count how far the ball rolls after it hits. You want to know how far the ball flies. Be honest with yourself and you will see the benefits.

Second, you need to know the correct distance from your ball to the hole. This is not always that easy. When in doubt I always guess long. Next make any adjustments for the lie, the wind or any other conditions that affect how far the ball will fly. Once you have examined the lie, the conditions and know the correct distance to the hole you can select the proper club.

Now you need to determine the target. Your target is the landing spot. Which is where you want the ball to first hit the ground, necessarily where you want the ball to stop. When approaching the green, choose the landing spot carefully. Keep in mind all the trouble areas around the green. Don't take unnecessary risk. Be especially cautious on courses you have not played. Many courses have hidden trouble. Play to the percentages. There is a time for aggressive play and a time to play the percentages. Most approach shots should be played conservative, based on your ability. The first goal is to get and keep the ball on the green. The second goal is to stop the ball close to the hole.

For some low-handicap players most shots will be right at the flag. Since most of your approach shot will be only a slightly off target, you have the confidence and ability to aim right at the flag. For mid-handicap players most shots will be to the middle of the green. Mid-handicap players missed shots will be further off target and the middle of the green offers the lowest risk. Aiming to the middle will increase your greens hit.

For high-handicaps most shot will be to the back middle of the green. High-handicaps have a higher tendency to miss hit. Most do not make solid contact with the ball. Aiming to the back of the green will increase their chance of a)reaching the greens and b)keeping the ball on the green.