My Golf Blueprint

MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Read a golf course before you play

A green golf course with rolling fairways, trees and a winding cart path.
Photo: Calvin Seng / Pexels

The layout tells you where a hole begins, where it ends and which areas change your options. A course map is a planning aid, not permission to play into a group ahead.

Work through it

  1. Find your tee markers and the correct green on the scorecard or course map.
  2. Identify bunkers, boundary markings and red or yellow penalty-area stakes.
  3. Check where the next tee lies before walking off the green.
  4. Ask the starter about local rules, practice areas and safe walking routes.

A practical example

A direct line to the flag may cross water. A wider fairway target can leave a longer second shot but a much simpler next decision.

Practice task

Take a scorecard and sketch one hole: tee, widest landing area, trouble and green. Mark a safe first-shot target. Compare the sketch with the hole when you arrive.

Common mistakes

Do not assume every ditch is marked the same way or that white stakes are movable obstructions. Avoid standing where another hole's shots may land.

Choose a comfortable movement and change one variable at a time. Stop if a movement causes pain; a qualified coach can adapt the task to your mobility and experience.

Sources and further reading

Next lesson

Continue the beginner pathway with the next practical task.

Golf club types and what they do

Keep learning

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