As evening falls and the Empordà sky turns golden, a golfer pauses on the tee. The flag is in sight, bright and tempting, but he knows that going straight for it would be a mistake. He takes a deep breath, visualises the shot and opts to place the ball in the centre of the green, leaving himself an easy putt for birdie. That moment, when intelligence is chosen over impulse, captures the essence of target golf: a philosophy that turns every swing into an exercise in control, strategy, and precision.

What exactly is target golf?

The term might sound obvious —every shot should have a target— but in reality, target golf goes far beyond simply “aiming at the flag”. It is a tactical approach based on planning each shot with a clear and safe destination, ensuring the ball lands and stops in a specific area, reducing risk and error.

This style of play is most often associated with courses laid out with well-defined fairways and receptive greens, where the ball’s flight is paramount and the margin for error is reduced. Unlike the ground game that dominates the links of Scotland and Ireland —where wind and contours encourage imagination— target golf is about aerial precision and total control.

In short, it is not about “hitting hard and hoping for the best”, but about designing a strategy shot by shot.

The strategic mindset of target golf

Playing this way demands a genuine shift in mindset: moving away from treating golf as a sequence of gambles, and instead approaching it as a map of intelligent decisions.

• Choose a safe target: rather than always attacking the flag, the key is to identify the part of the green that offers the most room for error. Frequently, the centre is a wiser ally than the pin.
• Control distance: many amateur mistakes come not from poor direction but from misjudged yardages. Target golf requires mastery of every distance in the bag, from driver to wedge.
• Visualise before you play: every shot begins in the mind. Imagining trajectory, height, and landing spot provides clarity and confidence.

This way of thinking transforms how you face the course. Improvisation gives way to control; anxiety about the immediate result shifts towards the consistency of a well-executed plan.

How to train for target golf

Target golf is not mastered overnight. It takes deliberate practice, patience and above all, consistency in training.

1. Work on the practice ground

The driving range is the perfect laboratory for simulating on-course scenarios. It’s not about bashing balls aimlessly, but about picking specific targets: a flag, a post, a marked area. The more precise the focus, the better trained the mind will be to carry that discipline onto the course.

2. Distance control

A golfer who knows his or her true distances already has half the battle won. Target golf demands not only knowing how far each club carries, but also how the ball reacts on landing. The difference between a well-measured 7-iron and a poorly judged one can mean the difference between birdie and double bogey.

3. Precision in the short game

Wedges and putts are central to this strategy. Practising shots from 50 to 120 metres, refining trajectories and managing spin, increases the chances of leaving the ball where you want it. The same applies to putting: the goal isn’t always to hole from long range, but to leave a comfortable return putt.

4. A reliable pre-shot routine

Concentration is key. Breathing, alignment and a repeatable routine reduce pressure and boost the likelihood of success. The more automatic the preparation, the less room there is for doubt.

The advantages of playing this way

Adopting target golf brings immediate benefits:

• Fewer big mistakes: by avoiding unnecessary risks, you reduce lost balls, penalties, and doubles.
• Greater consistency: your scorecard reflects steadier play, with fewer wild swings between brilliance and disaster.
• Stronger confidence: knowing that each shot is backed by a plan builds composure, even in tense rounds or demanding tournaments.

Time and again, champions have shown that victory is not always about heroics, but about strategy. Patience, discipline, and smart target selection often lead to steadier, more rewarding results than chasing spectacular shots.

Target golf in action on the Costa Brava

Our Club de Golf Costa Brava is an ideal setting to put this philosophy into practice. With 27 holes weaving through cork oaks and holm oaks, and its historic 19th-century farmhouse as a symbol, our course presents a variety of situations where target golf is essential.

• Green Course: the opening nine run through tree-lined fairways, where placement off the tee is crucial. Here, choosing the right target can be the difference between finding a clear line or being blocked by the woods.
• Red Course: water comes into play more frequently and the quick, undulating greens reward aerial precision. It is the perfect environment for executing controlled shots that settle softly where intended.

On both layouts, the challenge is not brute force, but tactical vision and poise.

A place to learn and improve

Beyond the course itself, at Club de Golf Costa Brava we offer an academy and professionals ready to guide golfers along this strategic path. From short-game sessions to sharpen wedges and putts, to mental training designed to strengthen focus, everything is geared towards developing a smarter, more effective game.

At a club that combines history, natural beauty and a unique social atmosphere, learning to master target golf is not only about better performance: it is about savouring the true essence of the sport.

Time to put it into play

Target golf is not a technique reserved for professionals; it is a way of understanding the game that any golfer can embrace to improve. It means playing with more head than heart, more discipline than impulse. And above all, it means enjoying every shot with the assurance that you’ve made the best decision possible.

If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, Club de Golf Costa Brava is the ideal place: a premium setting in the heart of the Empordà, with 27 holes designed for both enjoyment and strategy, and a team ready to help you refine your play.

Book your tee time today and discover how target golf can transform your game.