Why Par Doesn't Matter And How It Could Be Ruining Your Game

Golfers put themselves under immense pressure to make par, and that in itself could be their downfall. The result of scoring pressure is often a tense swing that can easily end in high scores and despair, so why do we put ourselves through it?

Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins explains how a slightly different perspective could make all the difference when it counts...

Use the shots you have to your advantage

The world handicap system should see golfers playing a true, to their handicap kind of a game. If we can utilise those shots we are given in a sensible way, we could see an immediate improvement in our scoring.

Take a long par-3 for example, or any par-3 at your local club. While clearly we would love to knock one close, in this situation you do not have to hit the green with your tee shot. If you are receiving a shot on the hole, check out the area around the green pick a club you feel comfortable with and find a safe landing zone.

Hitting a tee shot with your trusty hybrid, knowing that it won’t get there, is totally fine. Plus, the idea of striping one with a club you have confidence in is far more appealing than a poor strike because you are trying to go for it.

It’s a smarter way of playing, and allows you to be constantly aware of where you want to hit your next shot from. By using your handicap to your advantage, you’ll find the pressure is taken down a notch or two, which can really help you to relax on the course. Once you remove some of the pressure that you put on yourself, you’ll begin to see what you are capable of and the scores should start to just knit together.

Start planning early

Preparation is key, and taking the time to think about the course you are about to play can save you a lot of time and heartache when you are in the middle of your round. Planning your way round the course can be done inside the clubhouse, especially if the weather is somewhat inclement. 

Take a bird’s-eye view of each hole either using a course planner or taking screenshots with your phone from the club website. Now edit these maps with the route you plan on taking, utilising the shots at your disposal.

For example, if you are playing off an 18-handicap,  you don’t need to be on the green until you’ve hit one less than the actual par: two on a par-3, three on a par-4 and four on a par-5.

If you can avoid forcing unrealistic shots and applying pressure on yourself to get on the green in regulation, you will likely see a drastic improvement in your tension levels and your performance.

Give it a go and start enjoying the game more. Smiling is good for you and trust me those smiles will come thick and fast if you start consistently playing within yourself.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race. The next step is to cultivate a short game that would rival the tour pros (this is a realistic goal by the way). Then you’ll really bring that handicap down.

Katie Dawkins

Katie coaches the individual and uses her vast experience in technique, psychology and golf fitness to fix problems in a logical manner that is effective - she makes golf simple. Katie is now based at the stunning Hamptworth Golf Club on the edge of the New Forest. An experienced club coach, she developed GardenGOLF during lockdown and as well as coaching at Hamptworth she freelances, operating via pop-up clinics and travelling to clients homes to help them use their space to improve. 

She has coached tour pros on both LET tour and the Challenge Tour, as well as introduced many a beginner to the game. Katie has also been writing instructional content for magazines for 20 years. Her creative approach to writing is fuelled by her sideline as an artist.