Strategy Basics

What you do before you play makes it easier or harder to have a satisfying round. Things like taking cues from your warm-up and going to the first tee with a playing mind-set can have a major impact. After your round, the right thinking is critical to set up your next day on the course. In this video, teacher Jeff Ritter covers strategy basics in the pre- and post-round.

One of the main keys to playing better golf is reducing stress, and that starts on the tee box. Learning to look at trouble areas and hazards as directional aids and not round-wreckers is a good first step. Then comes a commitment to understanding your tendencies and playing your best shots. Here, Jeff Ritter teaches you how to get in the right frame of mind on the tee.

Unforced errors are the worst score-killers in the game. Taking a line to the flag that’s foolishly bold or trying to hit a crazy recovery shot to the green can lead to big numbers. It’s OK to swing aggressively, as long as your pre-shot planning is conservative, or at least realistic. In this video, teacher Jeff Ritter demonstrates the most effective strategies on approach shots.

Short-game shots look simple, yet they can turn a good hole into a bad one very quickly. To improve your greenside play, you need to be able to make predictable contact and to use the club as the situation demands. You also need to access your creative side and be open to new challenges. Here, Jeff Ritter gives you the strategy tools you need on and around the greens.