At Flagstick Golf Performance, we’re always focused on helping players make better decisions that lead to lower scores. Recently, I shared a post highlighting a common mistake many golfers make: choosing a club based on their best shot ever, instead of their average shot.
To illustrate this, I recreated a scenario in our state-of-the-art simulator here in Boynton Beach. We set up the 6th hole at Abacoa Golf Club, a par 5 with a trench guarding the front of the green. It’s a classic risk-reward challenge. Too often, players try to reach the green in two, pulling the club they hope will carry the hazard instead of the club that actually gives them the best chance based on their averages.
Why Averages Matter More Than Your Longest Shot
Every golfer has that one perfect 5-iron or 3-wood they remember. But the reality is, golf is a game of consistency, not exceptions. On the course, you don’t need the shot you can hit once in ten tries—you need the shot you can trust eight or nine times out of ten.
When facing hazards like the trench on Abacoa’s 6th hole, the smart play is to choose the club that covers the obstacle with your average distance, not just your max. This mindset:
- Reduces the chance of a costly penalty
- Lowers stress by building confidence in your decision
- Sets you up for better scoring opportunities
Using Technology to Train Smarter
Inside our simulator at Flagstick Golf Performance, we have the advantage of precise data. Launch monitors track not just your best swings but your full distribution of distances. By reviewing your averages, standard deviations, and tendencies, we can help you create a strategy that’s both safe and effective.
For example, if your 5-iron averages 175 yards and the trench is at 170, that’s cutting it close. But if your 4-hybrid averages 185, that’s the smarter choice—even if you’ve hit the 5-iron 190 once or twice in the past.
Turning Smart Decisions Into Lower Scores
Course management is often the hidden key to lower scores. While many players focus only on swing mechanics, it’s the decisions—like picking the right club for the right situation—that make the difference between a bogey and a par, or a par and a birdie.
At Flagstick, we combine technology, strategy, and coaching to help you not just swing better but play smarter. The next time you face a trench, pond, or bunker guarding the green, ask yourself:
“Which club do I trust with my average distance, not my perfect one?”
Chances are, that decision will save you strokes.
Takeaway
Next time you practice or play, start tracking your true averages. When you know your numbers, you’ll make smarter decisions under pressure—and that’s how you turn potential mistakes into confident, scoring shots.