The Next Shot After Finding Trouble

Trouble does not always ruin the hole.

What often causes the real damage is the shot that comes next.

A drive into rough, trees, or an awkward lie can be annoying enough on its own. But plenty of us turn one mistake into two by trying to fix it too quickly.

The mistake has already happened

That is the first thing to remember.

You do not need to win the hole back with one swing.

You just need to stop it getting worse.

I think, especially after 60, the sensible recovery is usually the better one.

Back into play.
Back into position.
Back into the hole.

That may not feel exciting, but it usually gives you the best chance of finishing the hole with something manageable.

Trouble asks for honesty

This is where plenty of us make the hole harder than it needs to be.

We see a gap that is there, technically, but not really there for the shot we have today.

Or we convince ourselves we can carry something we only clear on a very good swing.

That is where pride starts costing shots.

The better question is simple:

What is the easiest way to get this hole calm again?

Sometimes that means chipping out sideways.
Sometimes it means taking less club and playing short of further trouble.
Sometimes it means accepting bogey and moving on.

That is not giving up on the hole.

That is playing like an experienced golfer.

The next shot should make life easier

After trouble, the best recovery shot is usually the one that leaves a simpler next one.

Not the cleverest shot.
Not the bravest shot.
The simplest one.

That might mean:

putting the ball back in the fairway
leaving a full shot rather than a fiddly half one
staying short of the green instead of forcing something heroic
taking the side with more space

Good recovery golf is often just good positioning.

One calm shot can still save the hole

This is worth remembering.

A poor tee shot does not always mean the hole is gone.

A sensible recovery, a decent next shot, and a tidy putt can still leave you with a bogey, and sometimes even better.

That is a perfectly decent result from trouble.

This is where plenty of us can make the hole worse by trying to win it back too quickly.

Usually, it is a reason to settle down.

A good thought to take with you:

After trouble, the next shot only needs to make the hole easier.

Where To Go Next

If you want to face fewer recovery shots in the first place, try Why Fairways Matter More Than They Used To.