Set your lineups: 5 steps to draft a can’t-miss fantasy squad

Fantasy golf, like real golf, is grounded in solid fundamentals: Grip, posture, alignment; strategy, stats, instinct. Do the big things right, and you can put a little extra cash in your pocket for a healthier bottom line. Here’s how, and just in time for the FedEx Cup Playoffs chase.

Tier your lineup

Build around two stars at the top, then two value plays and two sleepers. It’s easy to get wide-eyed at the biggest names or too cute with long shots. Tiered lineups give you a confident base while leaving the door open for luck.

Identify value everywhere

Every week, some players get disrespected. Find recent strugglers who could revert to their norm, or those heating up that the masses haven’t yet caught onto. This is often where the smart player separates from the crowd.

Consider the course

Is the venue a bomber’s paradise? Who loves the layout? Who played his college golf nearby? Dig deep; these things aren’t always obvious, or everyone would have had Matt Every for his two wins at Bay Hill. Horses for courses. It’s real, folks.

Who’s hot? 

Courses and history tell us plenty, but good old-fashioned momentum shouldn’t be overlooked. Patrick Cantlay was hot leading into the Memorial and left wealthier. Sung Kang’s win at the AT&T Byron Nelson came from left field after two straight MCs; his seventh at the following week’s PGA Championship didn’t. When a guy’s feeling it, he’s feeling it…until he isn’t, at which point you jump off the bandwagon.

Go with your gut

When you’re sure about a player, don’t hesitate. A sense that Tiger Woods is a lock to repeat at the Tour Championship at East Lake may cost you more clams and force you to dig deeper for value players, but you don’t want regrets when the gamer you left off the table is hoisting the trophy — and all the points — on Sunday night.

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