My Plan For Winning Scores
When the outcome of a match or the final number on your scorecard hangs in the balance, you need to know you're playing the right shot

By Dave Pelz
Golf Magazine's Technical and Short-Game Consultant; With David DeNunzio

In order to be a clutch player, you need an arsenal of go-to shots — simple, familiar swings that you can depend on under pressure to produce the results you want. If you don't have these go-to shots, or you choose not to use them, your scores will suffer (see Jean Van de Velde at the 1999 British Open). When you play them at just the right time — for example, Tiger hitting his stinger 2-iron instead of driver to a tight fairway — you have the best chance of posting the score you need. Go-to shots are winners' shots — take my tests to find four of your own and beat the sticky situations you face every round.

GO-TO SHOT KEY
• Highest Risk (but best chance for the lowest possible score)
• Medium Risk (less chance for low score, good chance for needed score)
• Ultra-Safe (least risky, relies on your putting for the score you need)

Credit: Leonard Kamsler