Walk the course...BACKWARDS!!!!!

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By Skip Guss

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  • 13 Replies
  1. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    You gotta try this if you are a serious, competitive golfer:

    When you arrive at a new golf course to prepare for a golf tournament....walk the course BACKWARDS! WHAT????? Try this....

    (let's day #18 is a Par 4....)

    Start at the 18th green. Look down the fairway, imagining where you would like your ball to be for your approach into the green. Then walk back to that spot. Now, imagine how you would strike your tee shot in order to reach this spot. Take notes...use your rangefinder to shoot distances...etc., etc.

    I believe a fella by the name of Hogan used to do this....pretty cool!

    You will gain a completely different perspective of the golf course by following this routine. You may get a few funny looks from other competitors as you walk the course...backwards...but, trust me...it's pretty neat!

    Anyone out there do this...have tried it? If so...would very much like to learn your thoughts on this routine and how it has helped you properly prepare for a competition.

    This is a good one...hope you try it!

  2. MADGOLFER

    MADGOLFER
    HENDERSON, NV

    Skip it sounds like a great idea and in a perfect world we all would love to do it ,but to be perfectly honest it's just not feasible for most working stiffs.
    Usually most tournaments are Saturday and Sunday within a 6hour drive of home so most
    Players will get to town/golf resort between noon and 3pm the day before . So that leaves just enough time if you're lucky to get in a practice round before you check in at your accommodations.
    THATS ONLY THE SUMMER MONTHS
    Sorry to be a downer. Just saying.
    For all you lucky stiffs that have that much time
    LOVE ALL YOU GUYS , WISH I COULD DO IT.
    MADGOLFER hitemstraight
  3. BCH

    BCH

    Skip
    I agree with the method. Really helps you understand where you want to be coming into a tight pin and where you want to place the ball on the green. Also where you place it to avoid a down/up hill lie. Used to do this all the time when I played regularly.

    Since this game hasn't changed since the days of Hogan, for the most part, still the best way to figure out how to attack a course. IMHO

    Thanks for a great post!
    B
  4. Stephen F

    Stephen F

    I never thought about that before but once you put it into perspective it sounds like a really good method before playing a round I will have to try this the next time I go out thank you for the tip.
  5. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Glad you all like this. Remember...better preparation is a KEY ingredient to success!

    Thanks for the comments & feedback!
  6. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Great tip Skip
    I usually mark down spots in my book as I play a new course or practice round by looking back toward the tee after each shot location and mark down preferred landing areas for future reference. I've always realized that by looking back toward the tee from the fairway and green gives you a better perspective of how the hole was designed to be played.
  7. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Demo:

    I guess you would agree with me...Mr. Hogan was certainly onto something!!!!! LOL

    Keep up the GREAT work & preparation!!
  8. Don W

    Don W

    Yes your right being prepared can reduce fear and anxiety. So, it could be really a key to success.
  9. Dwayne N

    Dwayne N
    Island, KY

    tried this at my course where I thought I had a great gameplan but now I approach my course differently and I must say I play several holes differently than before with better results. Thanks Skip
  10. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Thanks Skip
    Mr. Hogan was a master at the brain work of the game. I watch Shell's World of Golf match on youtube vs Sam Snead and both had different styles. Most younger guys never watched either play 18 holes. I highly recommend anyone to spend a 1/2 hr. and see the mastery of Hogan & Snead.
  11. Ryan M

    Ryan M

    Skip,

    I like this idea, I kind of do the same thing (kind of) but from the tee box in practice rounds. Meaning, think of the green and its slope/undulation and next where I want my to finish for the best angle or possible shot to the green.


    Lastly, I shoot the pin with my laser rangfinder from 100-150-200 (50 yards if there's a short 4 par) and figure the slope from those distances and write down in a small notepad the slope readings for each hole (hope that's legal), and then turn off the slope for the tourney and use the notepad slope readings to help calculate elevation. I know its not what you mentioned but thought I'd throw out a suggestion cuz your is very good, maybe this may help 1 person, but maybe not lol :-)
  12. Bill V

    Bill V
    Bluffton, SC

    I've played stroke play golf and am a rater for Top 100 lists (I've played well over 1200 courses). If I cannot play first, I try to go backwards. You see and learn potential strategies much better this way. I always look at each hole backwards from landing, lay up and green positions.

    If you look at a course with very contoured greens, The Old Course is THE best example, there is a line of play - not the "center cut" that is best for any pin location. You must play to that line.

    This works especially well with Smyers, Hanse, Doak and Pete Dye courses.

    Excellent advice
  13. Skip Guss

    Skip Guss
    Marlborough, MA

    Thanks, Bill!
  14. greg p

    greg p
    Chicago 'burbs, IL

    Great advice. It's so difficult to play a new course because you only see what the architect wants you to see from the tee. Trouble often overwhelms and landing areas seem small. I often look back at the tee from the green, particularly after messing up a hole, only to realize how it could have been played differently. Too late, and often you don't get a second crack at it.

    You're right. Preparation IS the key. Gotta remember that.


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