When you play a tough golf course, the most important club in your bag can often ... be the driver. Difficult courses tend to be long, with narrower fairways bordered by deep, sometimes punishing rough. On average, the greens tend to be faster, more undulating, and are usually well guarded by deep bunkers, steep run-offs and even more thick rough. If you're tackling set-ups like this, the advantage in playing approach shots from the fairway can't be overstated - it's often the only realistic way to make par.

To find fairways off the tee, top players like Titleist brand ambassador Justin Thomas have developed a go-to shot, a shot with predictable flight and shape that they can rely on when accuracy is at a premium. In this video, Titleist staff member and TPI co-founder Dave Phillips describes the low cut that Justin uses when missing the fairway is not an option.

Take a page from Dave's (and Justin's) book, and develop your own go-to shot with the driver. It will serve you well when you play demanding courses and whenever you face high-pressure situations.