How to Build a Pre-Round Plan for Shot Selection

Decide your defaults early

A pre-round plan for shot selection should fit on a scorecard. Mark the holes where lie quality, wind, carry number, penalty areas, and the best side to miss matter most, then choose the club, target, or bailout before emotion enters the conversation.

Five questions to answer

1. Which holes demand restraint from the tee in How to Build a Pre-Round Plan for Shot Selection?
2. Where is the safe miss around each green?
3. Which club covers the approach number you see most often for shot selection?
4. When will the middle of the green be the correct answer for shot selection?
5. What is the rule after one poor swing? Plans can change, but shot selection is calmer when the first answer is already sensible.

Putting it in focus

Shot selection gets easier when club choices are based on evidence instead of selective memory. FocusGolf tracks shots, distances, club performance, and session history from a Wear OS, Apple Watch, or Garmin watch, with no club sensors required. If your 6-iron usually finishes short or your hybrid keeps you in play, those patterns can shape smarter targets before the course forces the question.