by Jimmy Patrick

Created on: April 14, 2009

Deciding whether or not to lay up on the golf course is often a source of major anxiety for golfers. Peer pressure, ego, and score can all factor in the decision. If thought about correctly, the time to lay up and the time to go for it can be simplified greatly.

The best rule of thumb I have ever heard is as follows: if you are not 100% sure that you will pull the shot off, don't try it. Note that I said "will" pull the shot off, not "can" pull the shot off.

This is the biggest problem in making the decision for most golfers. They stand over a shot that requires a perfect three-wood shot or a perfect long-iron shot to clear a water hazard or a bunker or maybe even a small canyon. They think to themselves, "If I hit this three wood perfect, I will make the green." So, they go for it and more often than not they don't hit the ball perfectly, so it ends up in the hazard.

The second biggest mistake golfers make is, after they have made the decision to lay up, they lay up to an awkward yardage, then they hit their next shot into the hazard. You will often hear these golfers muttering to themselves about how they should have just gone for it from the beginning.

If you make the decision to lay up, don't just hit the ball as close to the hazard as possible without going in. If you lay up short of a water hazard, for example, but leave yourself a 40-yard shot to the green, you may have left yourself an awkward shot that you rarely practice. Then, with the water hazard still in front of you, intimidating you, you will get nervous over the little, half wedge shot and chunk it right in the drink; maybe you skull the ball clear over the green.

The lesson to learn there is to make sure and lay the ball up to a distance that gives you a shot you like to hit. If that distance is 100 yards, the exact distance you hit your sand wedge or pitching wedge, great. If you want to lay up 140 yards away so you can hit a nine iron or eight iron, that is fine too. Whatever distance you choose, make sure it is a comfortable one that you have practiced and are confident in.

Never let ego play a part in your decision. This can be extremely difficult to avoid, but you must avoid it. If your playing partner goes for it and reaches a par five in two shots, or cuts the corner of a dog leg, it is human nature to say, "I can do that too," even if the truth is contrary.

Always remember that, while your playing partner may have gained a slight advantage by going for the green in two shots or cutting that corner, it is never worth you trying to play outside your own capabilities. If you get suckered in to that kind of game, you will find yourself giving the hole away more often than not.

The final decision making factor is the score. If you are behind in a match and the only way you can catch up to your opponent is to go for it with a risky shot, then you have to go ahead and go for it. Often, you will find that such do or die situation will actually help you relax and you will pull off the miracle shots. These kind of situations can make golf a lot of fun.

Of course, the reverse situation can also occur. You may find yourself in the lead during a close match. In such cases, make sure not to ever take unnecessary chances. Lay up safely and make your opponent take chances in an attempt to catch you. If they pull it off, tip your hat. If they land in the water, graciously accept your victory.

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