Course management in golf: Tiger’s 5 rules for smarter play

“Golf is not a game of perfect.” Bob Rotella, Golf psychologist.

Good golf isn’t about perfect swings. It’s about smart decisions.This is the art of knowing what shot to play, when to be aggressive, and when to back off. No one mastered this better than Tiger Woods in his prime.

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1. Never make a double

Tiger’s first rule: protect par at all costs. This means thinking clever when you’re in trouble — take your medicine, chip out, live to fight the next hole. Avoiding big numbers is often more valuable than chasing birdies.

Tip: When you’re out of position, don’t be a hero. Reset. Recover.

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2. No short-siding

Short-siding is leaving yourself little green to work with. Tiger avoided this by aiming to leave the ball in a place where he had space to get up and down.

Tip: Know where the “good miss” is. A 20-foot putt is better than a bunker with no green to work with.

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3. Play to the flat side of the green

Tiger didn’t aim at every flag. He played towards safe zones and the wider parts of the green.

Tip: Think percentages.

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4. Be realistic with risk

Tiger only took on high-risk shots when the upside was worth it. You don’t need to thread a 3-iron between bunkers when a lay-up works.

Tip: Ask, “What’s the worst-case result if this goes wrong?” If it’s a blow-up, choose smarter.

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5. Know your yardages

Tiger knew exactly how far every club went. That made decision-making clearer under pressure.

Tip: Dial in your yardages. Uncertainty breeds poor decisions

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Why golf course management matters

Course management separates the good from the great. It’s mental discipline. It’s the Greatmaker that transforms your scorecard without changing your swing.

Because in golf, clarity wins.