Dominate quick par-4s with this easy 2-step technique

This version of Play Smart was printed in partnership with XXIO.

Brief par-4s are a number of the most fun holes in golf. For top handicappers they will present reliable birdie seems to be — and, for extra expert gamers, eagle probabilities.

The chance for bogey (or worse) is at all times lurking, although. These quick holes are sometimes designed with harmful spots. Chunk off greater than you possibly can chew and making an enormous quantity is simply as doubtless as strolling away with birdie.

The important thing to making the most of quick par-4s goes in with the appropriate technique. And in immediately’s version of Play Sensible, XXIO ambassador Nathalie Sheehan joins us on the fifteenth gap at Cabot Citrus Farms to elucidate how one can greatest assault a risk-reward gap.

The fifteenth gap at Cabot Citrus Farms is a quintessential quick par-4. From the center tees, the outlet stretches to simply over 280 yards, and with the baked-out circumstances, the outlet performs even shorter. In different phrases, it’s bought birdie opp written throughout it.

However whereas the outlet may play quick, there’s no assure of creating a low quantity. For those who miss within the unsuitable spot, making bogey (or worse) is nicely inside the realm of chance. If you wish to reap the benefits of the outlet, you might want to preserve a pair issues in thoughts.

1. Know your miss

Golf is usually not a recreation of your greatest pictures, however somewhat the place you allow your worst ones. And whenever you’re attacking a brief par-4, it’s crucial you retain that in thoughts.

While you stand on the tee field, the very first thing you might want to acknowledge is the place your typical miss is. As soon as you recognize that, you possibly can proceed to the following step.

2. Search for hassle

You by no means need to carry damaging ideas into your thoughts on the course, however that doesn’t imply you must ignore the difficulty all collectively. It’s vital you recognize the place the worst spots are on a gap and do your greatest to keep away from them.

On risk-reward holes, the difficulty is often within the touchdown space for a driver. And when these penalty areas favor one aspect or the opposite, it’s vital to have in mind if they may come into play together with your typical miss.

“Right here we’ve got various bunkering occurring,” Sheehan says. “So in case you’re somebody who is absolutely uncomfortable being in a bunker, we’re in all probability simply going to need to hit one thing down this left aspect [away from trouble].”

It’s so simple as that. For those who can safely hit driver and have your miss nonetheless find yourself away from hassle, it’s a inexperienced gentle from the tee. But when your typical miss may put you in hassle, lay again and attempt to make birdie with a wedge in your hand.

For those who can implement these steps into your course of on quick par-4s, you’ll begin to make extra birdies — and eradicate these back-breaking huge numbers from the cardboard.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and enhancing. Previous to becoming a member of the crew at GOLF, he attended the College of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Affiliation, Staff USA, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers beginner and girls’s golf. He might be reached at [email protected].