You are not alone in your quest for distance off the tee.
We all rush to the golf shop to buy the latest driver, looking for that extra 20 yards.
Now, good distance off the tee is beneficial on that par 4 where your approach shot is with a wedge.
The lower the club, the more accuracy and control for a good shot at the flag.
For those big hitters, a good drive on a par 5 will give them a shot at being on in two.
However, there are those holes where the driver should stay in the bag, even for the big hitters and on a par 5.
The desire for hitting the big drive can cost most average golfers strokes more times than not.
Let me explain why? Let' start with your knowledge of golf terms.
Course management is what brings me to this topic.
No, I am not talking about the guy who runs the golf course.
I am taking about how you manage your play around the golf course.
You're planning of every shot and its proper execution, to allow you to score the best possible score, by making smart shots (choices).
Now in terms of the driver, let's look at good course management and smart choices.
When you are standing on the tee and looking down the fairway to where your average drive landing area is and you spot a water hazard, or you notice the fairway narrows and lined with traps or deep rough and maybe heavily tree-lined, do you still grab your driver? Well you shouldn't, a little warning bell should go off and your course management should kick-in.
Of course only you can decide whether the possible gain of yardage is worth the risk of playing your second shot from a bunker or worse, paying a penalty for having wound-up in the water or an unplayable lie in the rough.
If you play the smart percentage shot, often the difference will only be a one to two club adjustment (5 iron instead of a 7 iron).
Not too severe a penalty for keeping your ball in play.
Personally I prefer a good shot at par or an easy bogey, instead of putting a hockey stick or snowman on my score card (that's a 7 or 8 for you golfers, new to the game).
Most players, including the touring pros, hit their fairway woods more accurately than their driver.
Many leading pros use their wood (long iron) instead of their driver, an average of 4-5 times in a round to increase their chance of avoiding trouble.
In other words, they use their course management skills and avoid unnecessary stokes, by leaving the big stick in the bag.
So, the next time you're standing on the tee and you notice trouble, right where your normal drive would put you, leave the big stick in the bag.