Playing Par 5′s For The Amateur Golfer

For those of us that aren’t scratch golfers, and in particular for the high handicappers, the Par 5′s on any given golf course can be a scoring opportunity or a trap.  If we play these four golf holes per round smartly, we can definitely have a positive impact on our scores.The first thing I always recommend is to be conservative with the driver.  The initial temptation is always to pull out the big stick on the par five because we want to try and go for the green in two shots.  Now if the par 5 is very wide open and/or you have been hitting your driver very well in that particular round, then go ahead and hit it.  Otherwise, a 3 wood may be the best golf club off the tee.

Second thing that I am big on is to use your favorite golf clubs.  All of us have some clubs that we are really comfortable with and, thus, hit well.  For me, my favorite irons are my 7, 8, and sand wedge.  I just normally hit them very well.  So, based on where I am sitting after my tee shot, I am looking to typically do one of two things.  First to see if I can hit a 7 or 8 iron into a distance that I can then hit my sand wedge in for my third shot.  I usually get a decent chance at birdie if I can hit my sand wedge.

The other scenario that I look for is to hit my three wood for my second shot.  The 3 is my favorite wood.  If the green is unprotected and/or relatively flat and wide, I like to go for the green in two if a mistake won’t cost me too badly.

The third thing for scoring on Par 5′s is to get good at the bump and run or chipping.  If you can do a little practice with you 7 through pitching wedge, you can a lot of times save par or set up birdies with an excellent chip or bump an run.  (You can read more about this type of approach in this golf tip)

So, Golf Nuts, put those three thoughts into your game and you will find yourself doing pretty well on the Par 5′s and helping get some strokes off your golf score.

Have fun out there!