Increase your course management and think more like a Pro
This blog is focused towards the high handicappers wanting to improve their overall game and understand their limitations, if you enjoyed this blog feel free to read our guide on how to improve your mental game of golf here.
Golf Accuracy / Radius Cone Method
The ‘cone’ is based on the accuracy and the spread distance of any given golf shot across an average. The better the golfer the shorter the distance between the left and right points (A&B).
Knowing roughly how far wide of the target (C), you averagely land the ball gives you the focus and knowledge of where you should be aiming. Couple this with your shot distances and accuracy, this simple but effective method can dramatically change your game and course management theory.
Example of a Golf Pro Accuracy Cone
Using this example of a 170-yard Par 3. We can see that from the tee box we have a slightly obscured flag with 3 tall trees, the green is heavily protected to the back with 5 big bunkers and any duff or sliced shots sees you in the water.
A Pro will automatically go direct for the hole as they tend to have an average accuracy between 7-foot either side ranging out to a poor shot of approx 15 yards.
Example of a Low Handicap Accuracy Cone
The low-handicapped golfer will also be focused on hitting the green, but as displayed will naturally have a wider cone, and will tend to be further away from the flag but still in the general vicinity.
Example of a High Handicap Accuracy Cone
As you will see the high handicapper has a wide accuracy cone and can see a swing anywhere from 20 to 30 yards on either side of the intended target and on longer holes, will usually zig – zig left and right across the course.
A high handicapper must also take into account both swing quality, and ball striking accuracy, as again these 2 factors can affect this cone.
So how can you take advantage of this data on the course?
If you know you are prone to having a wide accuracy cone, don’t let your disadvantage become your downfall. This Par 3 offers too many obstacles of the high trees, the bunkers, and the water to risk the glory shot onto the green.
Pending on your distances with your club and if you have recorded these accurately you’re most likely going to be grabbing a low wood, rescue or low iron to get this distance to land the green which could potentially hit that 30 yards left or right of the flag.
So instead use this method focusing on putting your accuracy cone in better and achievable areas of the hole.
Shot 1. (Club choice would be between a 9 to 7 iron) The sensible and most rewarding route to still playing a Par is to aim left onto the wide and generous fairway approx 100 yards. This will give you far more space to aim for, more confidence in making the shot and having a great lie and clear sight of the flag.
Shot 2. (Club choice would be between a wedge or 9 iron) Shot two then gives you the perfect angle and approach to the green, 70 yards gives you a good choice of clubs to choose from, or you may even think about keeping the ball low and hit a lazy grass cutter 7 iron instead.
Shot 3. Your’e on the green and hopefully close enough to sink that shot in 1 for a PAR !!!
Sensible, steady and measured is always the better option than trying to go for that shot and you’ll learn more about your game, create more confidence for yourself and importantly start to bring your score down.
Most golfers will play with others and probably with various levels of skills, the key is to play your own game and never other people’s. Never be dragged into the challenge of taking on a shot that either isn’t currently in your locker or pushes you out of your comfort zone.
A low handicapper and even the pro’s still have the way wood shots in them and still may hit the green but roll off into the bunker and still end up with a Par. Playing the smarter game and connecting the Par’s with each other across the round is far more rewarding and will give you focus for the longer holes and better course and bag management.
