Have you ever stopped to think about what the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour groups actually do for their players? Even if you don’t have someone carrying your bag, many of the strategies and habits used by elite golfers can help you play smarter golf.
Here are five key lessons you can borrow from the game’s best loopers the next time you do it. Apply them and you’ll start scoring lower in no time.
1. Think strategy, not just technique
What tourists do:
They help players navigate the course based on weather, hitting trends and scoring opportunities. Each round begins with a game plan and the focus is on executing smart decisions – not obsessing over swing mechanics.
What you can do:
Before every shot, ask yourself: What is the smart game? Play to your strengths and visualize the shot you want to hit. Avoid unnecessary risks – hero strikes rarely pay off if a safer option keeps you in position. Big numbers add up quickly. If you get into foul trouble, put the ball back in play immediately instead of compounding mistakes.
Have a plan for every hole. That might mean taking less club off the tee to find the fairway, or aiming for the middle of the green instead of chasing a rolled pin.
2. Be accurate with yards
What tourists do:
They know the exact front, back, snap and carry distances—and how direction and wind conditions will affect each shot.
What you can do:
Use a diagnosis, GPS or irdage book to call in exact numbers, whether it’s a bunker off the tee or a trouble carry on a green.
Know yours true Club distances – not your best. Wind and temperature factor, which have a huge impact on how far the ball flies. When in doubt, take the yard to the middle of the green. It is the safest target and increases your margin for error. Many amateurs would also benefit from paying attention to the green numbers – amateurs rarely hit it as hard as they think.
3. Call in your green reading
What tourists do:
They evaluate the slope, grain and speed of the green to help players choose the right line and pace.
What you can do:
Walk around your goal and look at it from multiple angles to understand the slope. The amount of slope directly affects speed and break. Identify the green highs and lows. Drains are often a useful clue – they reveal where the water (and the shots) want to go. If you play on Bermuda greens, pay attention to the grain. Bright grass means down grain (faster), while dark grass means up grain (slower). On shorter shots, check the cup: a worn or broken edge often indicates the direction of grass growth.
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4. Track your stats to influence your practice
What tourists do:
They track stats and identify where players are missing shots, helping guide focused and efficient practice.
