Course Management · Tip
Aim Between the Trouble, Not at the Middle
Part of our course management programs for big numbers, picking targets. Build a program with it
Golf is a game of misses. Plan for them. On each tee, find the real trouble. Penalty areas, out of bounds, trees. Then aim halfway between the trouble on each side. That's often not the middle of the fairway. Play the shot shape you trust most, so you know where misses go. Into greens, find the easiest spot to get up and down from. Aim between it and the middle. And since most golfers come up short, check how far your shots really finish and club up if needed.
Step by step
- Spot the real trouble on both sides.
- Aim halfway between it.
- Play your most reliable shape.
- Favor the easy up-and-down side of the green.
- Club up if you often finish short.
Why it works
Your misses follow a pattern, so the safest target is the one that keeps both common misses away from penalty strokes. Aiming halfway between the real trouble on each side gives you the most room for error in both directions. Playing the shape you trust makes the miss predictable, so you can move your aim point away from the side where it would cost you most.
Common mistakes
- You aim at the middle of the fairway or green by habit, even when trouble sits close on one side.Find the trouble on both sides first, then pick the point halfway between them as your target.
- You treat all trouble equally, including rough or bunkers that cost you little.Count only penalty areas, out of bounds and trees that block your next shot as real trouble.
- You pick a club for your best strike, so your shots finish short of the target.Note where your shots actually finish over several rounds and choose the club for that carry.
How you'll know it's working
- Your misses finish in playable spots more often, with fewer penalty strokes per round.
- Your start line matches the target you picked, and your usual shape curves back toward the safe side.
- Your approach shots finish pin-high or past the front edge instead of short, and you leave yourself uphill or easy chips.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on a few holes at a time and only name the one trouble that worries you most before each shot.
Harder: Play a full round where you state the trouble, your target and your expected miss before every full shot, and note your actual finish.
Common questions
Should I always aim at the middle of the green?
No. Aim between the middle and the side that gives you the easiest up and down. This keeps your misses in places where you can still save par.
How do I know how far I really hit each club?
Track where your shots finish on the course or a range with distance markers, not just your best strikes. Use the typical carry from your average shots when you choose a club.
