Just to prove a point on how valuable course management is. There is one particular hole on my club course that is the 'course managers dream hole'. It is a Par 4 SI 18 320yds. Direct path to green (300yds) takes you across a valley of the worst rough filled with small bushes and trees. To carry it, is approx 280yds, then there is an up slope with a bunker just before the green. I can and have reached the green several times, but in 10 average shots, 1 would be in the bunker, 1 just clear of the rough and 8 in the rough. 4 out of 8 in the rough would be lost. The other 4 would be a nightmare to get down in two or three. Average score was 5 or 6. As I don't get a shot on this hole (14 h'cap), I need to Par it all the time.

So, decided to stop letting pride get in the way of my game by trying to reach the green all the time. Now I hit a 5 iron every time down the centre of the fairway for about 210 yds. Then pitch a PW 110 yds to the flag. Nearly every time now, I'm putting for a birdie and scoring 3 & 4 regularly.

I appreciate that there is no feeling like hitting a lovely long accurate drive, but save it for the long Par 4's & 5's. This one hole has cut my average score by 2 - 3 shots.

Cheers.
Lee.