Course management — the path to lower scores

In our never ending search for better scores, we often find ourselves lost in a maze. Is it the equipment? Do I need more distance? Do I need a swing overhaul? Should I just play more? More often than not, the path to lower scores is a combination of many things. But often neglected is how we think around the course, how we plot our way around, how we strategize. I am sure that I am not alone when I say that most of the golf we play is hit and hope. But there is a better way, with data as a guide, and with the required discipline to actually stick by the strategy. This is a combination of course management, and skills and expectations management.

I’ve come across an article on course management a few months back. I found it interesting and wanted to dig deeper, but completely forgot all about it. In a nutshell, a former elite amateur golfer, who went pro briefly created a system that looks at statistics and creates a strategy on how to score better. Sounds like a scam, doesn’t it? Except Will Zalatoris used it to win the Texas Amateur and US Juniors, and Bryson DeChambeau credits the system for his NCAA Individual and his US Amateur titles.

So what does DECADE stand for? The course management system developed by Scott Fawcett is broken down into these six steps: D-distance, E-expectation, C-correct target, A- analyze, D- discipline, E- execute. As much as I’d love to know and share the details, this system requires a $200 subscription every six months. Of course, I just did the next best thing — which is to read the feedback from those who have tried it.

Essentially, the statistics part aims to show a golfer’s actual game, his tendencies, his misses, how his game usually is. Using that knowledge, a strategy is formulated on how to minimize mistakes. It includes, where to aim and where to miss, which targets to go for and which ones to stay away from. It tackles opting for high percentage shots vs “hero” shots. Using actual data from the golfer and data from thousands of other golfers, expectations are managed, realistic goals and targets are set, and in theory, lower scores should be achieved.

Of all the required steps, based on personal experience, I know most of us will struggle with the discipline part. It is difficult to aim away from pins. It is difficult to take more club even if no one else will know. Our ego, our pride often takes over and “bahala na si Batman” reigns supreme. But this is why we often shoot worse than our potential. Taking medicine is difficult. We want to hit that hero shot from the woods, that towering hybrid over water 200 yards away. It is what golf legends are made of — or are they? If we can have the discipline to take the safer route, take one more club, aim away from the pin, and take a 3 wood off the tee instead of bombing that drive, we’d score better. Will it be less fun? Maybe. But if your idea of fun is shooting better scores, then even without the DECADE system, you can play better. An honest assessment of skills, a realistic look at your averages and not use those “once I hit my 7 iron 180” as the basis for your capacity as a golfer, a disciplined and strategic approach to each hole, should lower our scores considerably. The old saying: “there are are no pictures on the scorecard” is proof that ego has gotten in the way of better golf for a long time. Maybe it’s time we give better course management and statistics a try.