Save strokes with "Where do I not want to go?"

March 1, 2022

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2, and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

There is one question you should ask yourself before every shot?

The question is "Where do I not want to go?" Let's say you are laying a par 3 and there is a pond short left. By asking this question before you play your shot, the obvious answer is "I need to play this shot long right." So you add an extra club and aim for the right-hand side of the green. If you miss the shot right, you can still chip and putt for your par. If you pull it slightly you have the whole green as your margin of error. And if you pull it a lot more than you intended, you have extra carry with the longer club, and you will most probably carry the pond on the left.

What are some other questions you can ask yourself before the shot?

Wind Strength.
Elevation? If the green is higher than you, take another extra club. If the green is lower, take one less.
Lie. If you are hitting your second to a par 4, is the lie going to influence the shot? If so you might want to lay up short of the green to ensure you stay clear of the pond.

When you approach your shot to hit it, you will be confident that you have taken all considerations into effect, and can hit the shot with complete confidence! Good luck!

Thanks for watching - Save strokes with "Where do I not want to go?"

There is one question you should ask yourself before every shot?

What are some other questions you can ask yourself before the shot?

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