By: William Newson
While Girl’s Golf may not always share the same spotlight as other more popular sports, it hides a world of strategic complexity just waiting to be unveiled. What hidden strategies are employed by these young golfers when navigating challenging holes?
When we asked Madden Miller about how she strategized on Diamond Springs hole 6, one of their more difficult holes, she explained: “For hard holes at Diamond Springs, I try to relax and think logically about where I could hit the ball to be in the best place for my next shot. I also take into consideration what hazards there are in that hole and if it is possible for me to clear the hazards, such as water, sand, or rough. For easy holes, I like to try to add speed to my swing to try and get more distance out of my shots due to the hole being an easier hole to stay out of the rough.”
Audrey VanBeukering replied “On hole 6, I start by hitting my driver, then I will use an iron to get up to the green and avoid the bunkers. Then I will finish by putting the ball in.”
Maddie Fuzak commented, “For harder holes like 6, I usually try to get as close to the hill or area of the green as possible, then just chip onto the green.”
Esther Lauer said, “When playing hole 6, I direct my drive to go straight; that way, it can land in the middle of the fairway with a clear shot up on the green between the two sand traps.”
Sierra Rietema said that she “liked to approach the green from between the two bunkers.”
We then asked the Girls’s Golf team how they strategized on an easier hole. We decided on Diamond Springs Hole 7 because it’s a straight shot that doesn’t have many obstacles.
Esther Lauer said, “When playing hole 7, depending on where the pin is, I aim for the ball to land on the front of the green and roll toward the hole. Typically, I will use my pitching wedge or my 9 iron on this particular hole.”
Audrey VanBeukering said on “Hole 7: I grab my 8 iron or pitching wedge typically and aim for the green, finishing off by putting.”
Madelyn Fuzak replied, “For easier par 3s [hole 7 is a par 3], I just use a wedge to hit right onto the green, then putt.”
Madden Miller stated, “For easy holes, I like to try to add speed to my swing to try and get more distance out of my shots due to the hole being an easier hole to stay out of the rough.”