Tee Box

Be aware of where the tees are lining up -- they could be directing you to trouble! Always tee off with your back to trouble.

Hit the club which will give you the best position, not necessarily the most distance. Tee up on the side of the tee box which opens up the fairway (i.e., dogleg to right, tee off on left side of box)

Approach Shots

Be aware of "sucker"pins and don't be suckered! Aim to "fat" side of green -- allow for margin of error Leave yourself the best putt at the hole --uphill, least amount of break

Take plenty of club --- in most cases, play more club than you think (i.e., you don't have to hit it perfectly) This is especially important if there is trouble in the front of the green (bunkers, water, etc.)

Play an extra club for uphill slopes. Play an extra club for moderate wind. On sidehill/uphill lies, grip down on the club because the ball is closer to you. On downhill/sidehill lies, keep your knees level when hitting the ball -- the ball will have a tendency to go right.

Lay Up Shots

Lay up to your ideal full swing distance. Especially important on par 5s to not leave yourself with a half-swing touch shot, which is less reliable than a full swing with a "favorite" club that you are more likely to "nail."

Use the driving range to determine your club yardages. Everyone hits clubs differently, so your yardages will be different from your playing partners. Practice at the range will let you gain confidence in your clubs and how far they will go for YOU.

Pitches

The less lofted shot is the highest percentage one. Putt whenever you can from smooth surfaces off the green. Pick out a target where you want the shot to land. Imagine a 3-ft landing circle.

If you're in trouble, hit the shot you KNOW you can hit, not the one you THINK you can hit!!

Don't try to hit a shot you haven't practiced. Take the closest, most open route to SAFETY and the fairway. Sacrifice distance or direction to be sure your next shot will be from a good lie and a good angle. One extra shot to get you out of trouble is much better than trying the "miracle" shot that gets you into more trouble and adds even more strokes to the original mistake. First rule is always to Get Out of Trouble.

Only take a risk if you have a 75% chance of success