We've al been there when we've found ourselves not striking the ball well but still desperately trying to save our score. This can sometimes be a daunting prospect because it does require mental strength to remain calm and find out a solution. Being able to still score well will require you to still have a reasonable command of your short game. In an ideal situation, whenever you do to come to the range to practice, I would dedicate at least half of your practice time to shots under 50 metres.
If you do have a reasonable command of your short game, strategies can open up to you regarding how to still salvage a bad round. The first element to this would be your tee shot. If you notice you're slicing the ball, I would ensure you stand on the right side of the tee and aim left (Opposite if you hook the ball). If there is water or out of bounds on the right, I would even be tempted to use iron or a wood off the tee instead of your driver.
Now depending on how you're striking the ball, most times when we're not playing at our best, we tend to come up short of the green. I would tend to choose longer clubs for example using a 7 iron instead of an 8 and feeling as though I'm swinging quite gently. Using longer clubs is an excellent idea when you're not playing well as it makes us swing slower with better tempo.
Lastly you want to make sure that you can two putt every green. I use a certain system that enables me to have exceptional distance control. Every one of my putts I step them out, meaning when I have a five step putt, I know exactly how far to take the putter back and through. When I have a ten step putt I simply double the length. Of course if the putt is uphill or downhill, I would make the adjustment. If you are a very good putter, I would try and putt more than you chip. Most of the time if I'm not playing well, I would avoid hitting the ball long of the green because at most courses, you can get penalised for going over the back. Try and position yourself either middle of the green or short, If you do end up short of the green, I would try and use your putter most times. You may though have to swing back a little longer as the grass between the yourself and the green will tend to slow down the putt.
If you have any further questions on how to score well when not striking the ball just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.
