The Safe Miss: The Most Underused Strategy in Amateur Golf
The safe miss is the most powerful concept in golf strategy. Before every shot, there is a direction in which a miss is acceptable and a direction in which a miss is catastrophic. The golfer who consistently aims to miss in the safe direction will score significantly better than the golfer who aims at the ideal target without considering where a miss will end up.
Key Takeaways
- •Every shot has a safe miss and a dangerous miss -- identify both before you play.
- •Aim to give yourself the safe miss, not just the ideal outcome.
- •The safe miss on approach shots is almost always away from the main hazard.
- •Build the safe miss identification into your pre-shot routine.
What is the safe miss?
The safe miss is the direction or area where a slightly offline shot leaves you with a straightforward next shot. On a hole with water on the left, the safe miss is to the right. On a green with a bunker at the front, the safe miss is to the back. On a narrow fairway with trees on both sides, the safe miss is the side with the least severe rough.
How to identify the safe miss
Before every shot, ask yourself: if I miss this shot slightly, where is the best place to miss it? Then aim to give yourself that miss. This does not mean aiming away from your target -- it means choosing a target that, if missed slightly, leaves you in the best possible position.
The safe miss on approach shots
On approach shots, the safe miss is almost always the side of the green away from the main hazard. If there is water on the right, aim left of centre. If there is a bunker at the front, aim for the back of the green. A miss in the safe direction leaves you with a chip or a long putt. A miss in the dangerous direction leaves you with a penalty or a very difficult recovery.
The safe miss on par 3s
Par 3s are where the safe miss concept has the biggest impact. The pin is often positioned near a hazard, and the difference between a miss in the safe direction and a miss in the dangerous direction can be three or four shots. Always identify the safe miss before playing a par 3 and aim to give yourself that miss.
Building the safe miss into your pre-shot routine
The safe miss should be part of your pre-shot routine. Before every shot, identify the safe miss, choose a target that gives you that miss if you are slightly offline, and commit to that target. This takes less than 10 seconds and will immediately improve your scores.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the safe miss strategy mean I should always aim away from the pin?
No. It means you should choose a target that, if missed slightly, leaves you in the best possible position. Sometimes the safe miss is on the pin side. Sometimes it is away from the pin. It depends on where the trouble is.
How do I identify the safe miss quickly on the course?
Look at the hole from the tee or from your ball position and ask: where is the worst place I can miss this shot? Then aim away from that place. This takes seconds and is the most reliable way to identify the safe miss.