Instruction
Risk And Reward
![instruction-2009-09-inar01_watson_risk_and_reward.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2015/07/21/55ad972ab01eefe207f7a69f_instruction-2009-09-inar01_watson_risk_and_reward.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288.suffix/1573463320879.jpeg)
Occasionally you need to run a risk rather than play the percentages -- if you're trying to win a tournament or a bet in your weekend foursome. I took a big chance in the last round of the 1982 British Open at Troon.
I came to the par-5 11th, the famous Railway Hole, trailing Nick Price by two.
The drive is nearly blind, over a sea of gorse. Out-of-bounds is on the right, toward the railroad tracks, and the fairway bends right and narrows as it progresses. I've teed off with as little as a 5-iron to play safe, but being behind, I hit my driver.
My key when I absolutely have to hit the fairway is to pick a precise aiming spot and focus solely on it. Here I'm using a hazard stake, but back at Troon in '82, I used a yellow gallery-crossing sign.
![instruction-2009-09-inar02_watson_risk_and_reward.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2015/07/21/55ad972aadd713143b435f0e_instruction-2009-09-inar02_watson_risk_and_reward.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.966.suffix/1573463315380.jpeg)
I hit a beauty, then followed with a 3-iron to three feet and made the putt for an eagle. That started a good run and forced Nick's hand.
*Watson is the golf professional emeritus at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. *