Course Strategy in Heidental
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Russell Warner
Golfclub Heidental
Giles Hickman
Golfclub Heidental
Andrew Gossage
Driving R. Miesern
Barbara Eggler
Driving R. Miesern |
Golf is a game and like any game, the decisions and tactics we use will have a direct influence on the final result.
General course management rules
- Plan to make the next shot easier (in extreme cases that may not necessarily mean nearer to the hole.) Where is best to miss? If I don't hit the fairway or the green then what side is easier?
- Know your distances so you can plan for your game. Every player hits a 7 iron a different distance.
- Understand the distance between holiday golf and tournament golf. When I am on holiday I may try and hit the ball over 250 m water because it is fun but in a tournament why would I try it.
- The right decision is to try to play a shot that you have more than 50% success rate. (a fine pitch over a bunker to a 'versteckte fahne' or an easy chip to the centre of the green.) How many times can you hit it close 2 from 10, 5 from 10 or 8 from 10?
- The chip may be on average better although you are further away from the flag
- Understand the differences between easy, middle and difficult flag positions. Attack the easy ones and stay in the middle of the green when the flag is tough.
- Play more strokeplay or learn tactics! Most people are making Stableford decisions! If the shot doe not work out they just pick the ball up. By playing to a finish helps you understand that ever shot has a purpose and a result.
Let's take a look at some holes from Heidental and think about the best way to play them:
Hole 1, second shot
People who don't hit the ball so far, struggle with the second shot to get the ball past the water. If they do try it they are hitting a hybrid or wood from a sloping lie as their second shot of the day. Why not hit a 7, 8 or 9 Iron second shot short and left from the water. You can target better with a short club and the shaft is shorter which helps as the ball is above your feet.You will then be faced with an easier third shot from a flat lie where you can hit full and end up short of the bunkers.Even if you try to hit past the water wit your second, most people then have a shot of 120-100 m and they will struggle to get over the bunker on the green.4 shots onto the green and 2 puts is a guaranteed bogey and points at the start of the round.
Hole 5
The tee shot depends on two things – wind and how hard the ground is. Try different clubs out to see where you hit. We use the club to change the distance not the swing. On the tee favour your tendency – if you slice, aim down the left side at the mound and hook then at the edge of the woods. But make sure you trust your swing and play your natural shot.
If you do have to lay up for the second shot, aim right! The slope will act as a brake for the ball in case you do hit it too hard and it will always roll down to the post. If you go straight, there is always a danger of it going too far.
Hitting down – If you are on the down slope take a shorter club with more loft to help you get the ball in the air. Important is to have a target to hit to at the bottom – think of where the ball has to go and not where it should not!
Also beware of the direction. If you aim at the green with the shot down you will always be in the right rough. The house or the dark fir tree is a good line for the middle of the fairway.
If you are down the bottom and feeling good, attack the green, but if the irons are not great, then be prepared to pitch forward and on the green and make a bogey. Again 6 here for a club golfer is a good result!
Hole 8
Try different clubs!I am sure over 50% of our members tee off with the same club every day. At the season start tournament I hit 7, 8 and 9 all on the same day purely due to wind. This hole is most affected by wind so make sure to check where it comes from. The flag position front and back is also one club difference.
Hole 12
What ever you hit trust it!The 12th has 4 trees on the left. These were planted a few years ago to give golfers target lines. Work out which tree is the best for you and which club will land in the slope and roll down into the middle.
Unless the wind changes – use the same tree each time – in a free round and a tournament.
Hole 13
Our best hole that would fit in on any championship course.
Play it as a Par 5 and think about where the flag is. If it is right then hit your 2nd shot well left.You will have an easier pitch to the flag and may make your par. Exactly the opposite if the flag is on the left – hit the 2nd up the right. The par will always be made with the wedge on this hole.
Hole 15
Check the flag position – a really long green so check where the flag is and be prepared to hit one or even two clubs more if the flag is at the back.
We hope these tips help and save you a shot or two on your next round in Heidental.
All the best
Russell, Giles, Andrew and Barbara
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