Percentage Play

Your pre-shot routine requires a decision making process. Having asked yourself the question “What do I need to know?” and gathered all relevant information, you now need to decide what to do.

The process of decision making must involve risk assessment. 250yds into a strong headwind with a lake in front of you might make going for the green a somewhat risky venture.

Shooting low scores requires solid thinking. Don’t be surprised when things go wrong if the odds for success are heavily stacked against you.

The unfortunate thing is that you only get one attempt at each shot. How often have you wanted to take a mulligan when you discover the outcome of foolish decision?

Whilst nothing can be guaranteed, a percentage shot is so called because it offers you the best chance of a good result – the shot which is considered the safest gamble.

Playing the percentages can often appear dull. But if it’s nail-biting flying by the seat of your pants stuff that you’re after go right ahead, just don’t get upset when you’ve taken on a risky shot and it goes wrong.

This is why risk assessment is crucial to decision making. Shooting low scores requires consistency, both in technique and thinking. Playing percentage golf will return percentage results, hence more frequent lower scores.

Risk Assessment

To a greater or lesser degree, you will perform risk assessment throughout much of your daily life. There are several components to risk assessment. Donald Rumsfeld (the former American Defence Secretary) had a somewhat bizarre (some call it Bull Sh*t) way of explaining …..

“….there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know."

No wonder there’s so much confusion in the world! For you, the golfer, keep it simple. Without the dubious benefit of Military Intel it’s just you and the course.

The decisions you make based on the level of risk you perceive will of course be dependent on the sort of person you are. As mentioned in the Self-Confidence section, a confident person will be prepared to take on greater risk with greater belief of success than someone who is under confident.

Whatever your level of confidence, the process of risk assessment remains the same. It’s only the decision that might vary.

The Process

1. Identify risk

2. High or Low likelihood

3. Penalty and affect on game if it happens

4. Can it be reduced or eliminated by type of shot

5. Do conditions and how well you are playing on the day make your decision reasonable and are you prepared to live with the outcome?

It is important to be realistic when assessing risk. What might be a simple decision on a day when you’re striking the ball well may require serious consideration if you are struggling with your game or the conditions are poor.

It is essential once a decision is made to commit to it. As mentioned in the pre-shot routines section, do not proceed if there is doubt in your mind. You will not commit to a shot you feel uncomfortable with.

Don’t

• Be tempted to play a shot because it’s the way everybody else does. The object of golf is to get the ball in the hole in the least number of shots. Providing it’s within the rules, use any method to achieve this. There are no prizes for a good attempt at stupidity.

• Chase the birdies. This can seriously affect your decision making process. A par round of golf is something to be proud of. Failure to birdie every hole does not make you a loser – dropping silly shots makes you a loser! Birdie opportunities will come if you are patient.

• Fail to recognise your limitations. Your strengths and weaknesses will change day to day. Play to your strengths, whatever they are on the day.

• Ignore conditions. Always factor the elements into your decision making process.

• Disrespect the course. It is there to challenge you. The minute you think you have it cracked it will rear up a bite you.

• Take things for granted. A game can change for the better or worse during the round. It’s up to you to remain focussed and determined from start to finish.

• Get frustrated. Playing a good percentage game will return good percentage results. Remember though, these are percentages not guarantees. The better your thinking, the better your percentage results will be.