Par-5 Stroke Savers: Smart Layups Equal More Birdies

Reaching the green in two shots while playing a par-5 hole is arguably one of the most dramatic and rewarding shots in golf. Yet how many times does that drama pay a huge dividend to your score? If it is less than 50 percent of the time, you are not maximizing your potential scoring ability on holes that generally should offer a legitimate birdie opportunity to even the novice player. Although going for the green in two on par-5 holes is a wonderful way to reduce your scores, it can also be the most detrimental reason for inflated scores. Having the wherewithal to think through the shot carefully and choosing the best route for a reduced score will ultimately lead to more consistency in your game and the confidence in knowing there is not a par 5 anywhere that can defend itself from your ability to score. To help you better understand these par-5 strategies, here are some examples of different situations you could face on any par-5 hole.