How to Play Safer Golf and Score More Consistently
Safe golf is not defensive golf. It is intelligent golf. The golfers who score most consistently are not the ones who hit the most spectacular shots -- they are the ones who make the fewest catastrophic mistakes. Playing safer golf means choosing targets that give you the best chance of a good outcome, not the best chance of a great outcome.
Key Takeaways
- •Safe golf means choosing the best expected outcome, not the best possible outcome.
- •Aim at the centre of the green, not the pin, on most approach shots.
- •The chip-and-run is almost always safer than the lob shot around the greens.
- •Make conscious, rational decisions rather than impulsive ones.
What does playing safe actually mean?
Playing safe means choosing a target that minimises the risk of a penalty or a very difficult next shot. It does not mean always laying up or always aiming at the middle of the fairway. It means being honest about your current ability and choosing the shot that gives you the best expected outcome.
The risk-reward calculation
Before any risky shot, ask yourself two questions: what is the best realistic outcome if this shot goes well? And what is the worst realistic outcome if it goes wrong? If the best outcome is a birdie and the worst is a triple bogey, the risk is almost never worth taking. If the best outcome is a par and the worst is a bogey, the risk may be acceptable.
Playing safe off the tee
The tee shot sets up the entire hole. A safe tee shot does not need to be a short one -- it needs to be one that leaves you in a good position. Sometimes the safe play is a driver down the wide side of the fairway. Sometimes it is a 3-iron to a specific landing area. The key is choosing the club and target that gives you the most room for error.
Playing safe on approach shots
The safest approach shot is almost always aimed at the centre of the green, not the pin. The pin is often positioned near a hazard or at the edge of the green. A shot aimed at the pin that misses slightly can end up in a bunker or penalty area. A shot aimed at the centre of the green that misses slightly is still on the green.
Playing safe around the greens
The chip-and-run is almost always safer than the lob shot. The lob shot requires a near-perfect strike. The chip-and-run is far more forgiving of a slightly mis-hit. Unless you have a specific reason to use a high shot -- a bunker between you and the pin, for example -- keep the ball low and rolling.
When to take the safe option and when to go for it
The safe option is almost always correct when you are in trouble, when the conditions are difficult, or when you are playing a course you do not know well. Going for it can be correct when you are playing well, when the risk is small, or when you need a birdie to win a match. The key is making a conscious, rational decision rather than an impulsive one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does playing safe mean I will never make birdies?
No. Playing safe means choosing smart targets, not short targets. You can still attack pins when the risk is low and the reward is meaningful. Safe golf eliminates the big numbers -- it does not eliminate the good holes.
How do I know when a shot is too risky?
If you would not attempt the shot on the practice ground without a specific reason, it is too risky on the course. If the penalty for failure is significantly worse than the reward for success, it is too risky.