I say, stick to your guns!  Use your strengths to your advantage, however don't forget to practice your weaknesses.  As for the yardage books that the pros use... they make the notes themselves when they practice the course.  They take note of all the necessary yardages that will help them during the tournament.  I guess they just buy those regular small notebooks that can fit in your backpocket.  Another thing would be is to get a rangefinder, either laser or gps (depending on your preference).  It will surely help you in getting distances and dialing your shots.

I am almost on the same boat as you are, trying to prepare for an event next month.  I've picked up a GPS, played the course twice so far (more coming), been playing and practicing a lot lately (have my instructor on standby).  I even have my putting mat lying in the living room so that I can practice putting all the time.  

Good luck and happy golfing!

Carlo

I have to disagree with you here.  There's a reason why tour pros DON'T always take a driver off the tee.  There's a reason why tour pros DON'T always go for a par 5 in 2.  There's a reason why tour pros DON'T play every course exactly the same way if their goal is to win.  If a course rewards distance more than accuracy, then by all means take driver off the tee and let er rip.  If the course requires accuracy over distance, then you need to be more strategic in your club selection and in overall course management.  You need to play the course's game, and not your game.  Sometimes the two jive, and sometimes they don't.

Eric,

You and I are on the same page. Since I know this course and it doesnt work well for just going out and bombing 300+ yard drives all over the lot and trying to recover. That is why I asked my original question. I have been reading some books on the mental side of golf and I think that will help me out the most. Being someone who played in college and on Mini-tours before I got hurt you would think I would have relized that my style doesnt always work.

Thanks, KC

Bubba Watson decided to play his game at the US Open.............how'd that work out?

If I like 100y, and I can get to 100y with no problem, I can see no reason to layup at 150 and take my chances.

Its simple, if the course allows for long and wild then play long and wild, if the course requires accuracy then play accurately.

Good Luck NavyLD12. 

 Play the way you feel most comfortable depending on the hole and club selection.  You have to pick your spots to let 'er rip.      Keep us updated on the results.

Deno

That's Bubba... and that's the US Open!

Golf is a game of skill.  Choosing on how to play the course (whether bombing or accurately) still shows that you still decide on what is comfortable for yourself.  You like the 100 yds, and you choose to play that only means that that is your game.

You play what you see is fit.  One doesn't try to fade the ball on a dogleg left hole or vice versa.

Good luck.

Carlo

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I will pick my spots to Bomb it. I get a practice round so thats when i will try different things. I played yesterday front 9 conservative and 9 nine aggressive there was a 5 stoke diference. I hit every fairway on the front and only 1 on the back. I think there are about 4 holes I can really go at it the rest will be 3 wood and hybrid off the tee.

hey Navy,

I wish you success in the tournament!  My advice is old, simple, advice - FAIRWAYS AND GREENS, and you will score very well.  

Off the tee pick the club you know will put you in play, that could be your driver or any other club in your bag, and then you'll be set up nicely to be on the dance floor in regulation.

Go get 'em!

Jason

Jason,

Thanks for the well wishes. Yeah you can never go wrong with fairways and greens. Thats my plan!!! I have been working really hard and shaping shots in both directions and controlling trajectory. I normally just hit a fade with everything because when I played in college and on the Mini tours I snap-hooked my way out of tournaments. I built a swing that is anti-left but I know I need to be able to hit a draw when I need to. I have been working on my game with a friend that is a teaching pro and it is coming along great. Now as long as I can chip I will be just fine. My long term goal for the next year is to make it past the local stages of either the US Am or US Open qualifying.

KC

Hey  Navy,

Eric is right. I have played in a few USGA US-Ams, Pub-Links, and dozens of Pacific North West Golf Assoc. events as well as local and state tournaments over the years. My SS, BS and carry distance are very much like yours.

I can tell you this, after learning how to play competition over regular everyday golf..... I will destroy you if I get 14 chances with my pitching wedge into the par 4's and par 5's. Like Eric says, there is a very good reason Tour Pro's you a verity of clubs off the tee and don't just bomb away. They plot the course to give them the best angle to attack the pin and stay out of trouble. 

Good luck in your tournament! Keep your emotions in check, it's a four day event. Par is your friend and and plot your way around.

Rob