How to get rid of blow out holes at golf | Play like Lewis Hamilton
How to get rid of blow out holes at golf | Play like Lewis Hamilton
I've been playing golf for a long time, and I've come to realize that the most frustrating part of the game isn't a bad swing or a missed putt. It's the "blow out hole" – that one hole that completely ruins your scorecard with a lost ball, a penalty, or an unplayable lie. These are the holes that can turn a good round into a disaster in a matter of minutes. I used to think these blow out holes were just a part of the game, something you had to accept. But over the years, I've developed a strategy for playing the course that has completely changed my mindset and allowed me to minimize those huge numbers on my card.
I like to think of a golf course as a racetrack, and myself as the driver. On a racetrack, there are wide-open straights where you can put your foot down and go for maximum speed, and there are tight, tricky hairpin turns where you have to slow down and be cautious to avoid crashing. The same applies to golf. Some holes are "wide open straights" where you can be aggressive, while others are "hairpins" that demand a more conservative, careful approach. By understanding which is which, and adjusting your "gear" accordingly, you can dramatically improve your scoring and eliminate those blow out holes for good.
My home course has a fantastic example of a "straight" on the ninth hole, a short par 4. It’s a big wide-open straight racetrack. Even if I miss my own fairway, there's plenty of room on the adjacent fairways to recover. This is a hole where I can confidently pull out my driver and go for maximum distance, even if my shot isn't perfect. I know the risk of a major penalty is low. I contrast this with other holes on the course, like the fourth and sixth, which I call "hairpins" due to water hazards, out of bounds, or tight fairways. On these challenging holes, I advise "dropping back to first gear" and playing cautiously to avoid major mistakes.
This strategic approach—knowing when to "push hard" and when to "take it easy"—can significantly improve your score and, more importantly, make the game more enjoyable.
The Racetrack Analogy: Understanding Your Course
The first step in this strategy is to change how you see the golf course. Stop looking at it as a series of 18 individual holes and start seeing it as a dynamic layout with different types of challenges. This is where the racetrack analogy becomes so powerful.
The "Wide Open Straights": These are the holes on your course that are wide open, with generous fairways, no major hazards, and plenty of room to miss. On these holes, the risk of a penalty or a lost ball is low. This is where you can be aggressive with your driver and go for maximum distance. You can swing freely, knowing that even if your shot isn’t perfect, you'll still be in a playable position. This strategic aggression on low-risk holes is where you can gain an advantage and set yourself up for birdies or easy pars. [00:19]
The "Hairpins": These are the holes with significant hazards, such as water, out of bounds, deep bunkers, or a very narrow fairway. These holes demand a more conservative, careful approach. Trying to be a hero on a hairpin turn will only lead to a crash. On these holes, a smart golfer takes a more cautious approach, similar to a race car driver downshifting to first gear to safely navigate a tight corner. [01:02]
By categorizing the holes on your course, you can create a clear plan for your round. You'll know exactly when to be aggressive and when to play it safe. This simple act of strategic pre-planning removes indecision and allows you to play with a clear mind.
Adjusting Your "Gear": The Power of Strategic Decision-Making
Once you've identified the "straights" and the "hairpins" on your course, the next step is to adjust your "gear" accordingly. This is a mental shift that allows you to play with a purpose on every single shot.
Higher Gear (The Aggressive Approach): On the wide open holes, you can shift into a higher gear. This means pulling out the driver and swinging with the intention of hitting the ball as far as possible. The goal is to get the ball as close to the green as you can to set yourself up for a short approach shot. This strategy is only for the holes where the cost of a bad shot is minimal. Even if you miss the fairway, you'll still be able to find your ball and have a shot to the green. [00:05]
Lower Gear (The Conservative Approach): On the tricky, hazardous holes, you must shift down to a lower gear. This might mean leaving the driver in the bag and pulling out a 3-wood, a hybrid, or even a long iron. The goal on these holes is not to gain maximum distance, but to get the ball safely in play. The a clear goal is to avoid the big penalty. A long iron in the fairway is always a better outcome than a driver in the water. [01:07]
Strategic risk assessment is at the heart of this entire system. Knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is crucial for better scoring. [01:28] A golfer who plays aggressively on every hole will likely end up with a few great scores and a few blow out scores. A golfer who plays conservatively on every hole will likely end up with a reliable, but potentially uninspiring, score. A smart golfer knows when to be one or the other.
A Deeper Dive: How to Identify "Straights" and "Hairpins"
This strategy is only as good as your ability to properly identify the different types of holes on your course. This requires a little bit of homework and a lot of local knowledge.
Analyze the Scorecard and Course Map: Before you ever step onto the course, take a look at the scorecard and the course map. Are there any holes with a high stroke index? Are there any holes with water, out of bounds, or a very narrow fairway? These are likely the "hairpins."
Walk the Fairways: Pay attention to the holes with adjacent fairways that are wide open. On these holes, even if you miss your own fairway, you can still have a playable lie. This is a tell-tale sign of a "straight."
Look for Landing Zones: The most important thing to look for is a safe landing zone. On a "straight," the landing zone is large and forgiving. On a "hairpin," the landing zone is small, and a miss will be punished severely.
Evaluate Your Own Game: Your "straights" and "hairpins" might be different from your playing partner's. If you tend to hit a fade, a hole with trouble on the right side might be a "hairpin" for you, while a hole with trouble on the left might be a "straight." You have to know your own game and your own tendencies.
This process of analysis and self-reflection is what turns a good strategy into a great one. It's about knowing your game and knowing your course, and using that knowledge to your advantage.
The Mental Game: Embracing the "Gear Shift"
This strategic approach is a mental game-changer. The fear of a blow out hole often leads to a tentative, uncertain swing. But with a clear plan in place, you can play with a new level of confidence.
It removes indecision: When you've already decided on your strategy for a specific hole, you don't have to stand over the ball and second-guess yourself. This removes a major source of anxiety in a round of golf.
It provides clarity: With a clear plan, you know exactly what you're trying to do. On a "straight," your only goal is to hit the ball as far as you can. On a "hairpin," your only goal is to get the ball safely in the fairway. This clarity allows you to focus on the process, not the outcome.
It makes the game more fun: The game of golf is supposed to be enjoyable. The frustration of bad shots can ruin a round. By having a solution to this problem, I can play with more joy and less anxiety.
Even if you end up in the trees, a common fate for an aggressive tee shot on a "straight," all is not lost. Sometimes, even if you end up in the trees, you might still have a manageable shot to the green. [00:49] The key is to avoid the big penalty, and a tree is almost always better than a water hazard or out of bounds.
Putting It All Together: A Strategic Framework for Your Round
To make this a part of your own game, I recommend a few simple steps:
Analyze Your Course: Before your next round, take a moment to identify the "straights" and "hairpins" on your course. Mark them on your scorecard or in a notebook.
Plan Your Tee Shots: On the "straights," make a plan to be aggressive with your driver. On the "hairpins," make a plan to be conservative with a shorter club.
Trust Your Plan: When you get to the tee box, trust your plan. Don't second-guess yourself. Take a moment to visualize the shot and then execute your plan with confidence.
Embrace the Outcome: Even if a shot doesn't go exactly as planned, you'll know that you made a smart, strategic decision. This mindset is what separates a good golfer from a great one.
Reflect and Refine: After your round, take a moment to reflect on your strategic decisions. Did your plan work? Were there any holes that were more challenging than you thought? Use this information to refine your strategy for your next round.
I've demonstrated my own approach on the ninth hole, hitting a driver down the middle of the fairway with a clear plan to be aggressive. The results speak for themselves. This simple strategic framework has been a game-changer for me, and I’m confident it will be for you too. It’s a simple change that can have a huge impact on your scores and your enjoyment of the game.
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