Back in September 2015, I was given the opportunity to analyze and write the weekly DraftKings’ article found on GolfWRX related to the PGA Tour. I’ve covered fantasy golf since the 2015 Deutsche Bank Championship through last week’s The RSM Classic at Sea Island, Georgia. In that time, I’ve analyzed underrated players, value bets, overvalued players, and bad bets. The experience has given me some insight into playing fantasy golf, both daily and season-long competitions.

To each his (or her) own as “they” say, but as the PGA Tour season moves from the wrap-around season to the so-called 2015-2016 regular season, it seemed relevant to share that insight with GolfWRX readers. Keep in mind that the tips below are equally applicable regardless of the type of competition as there are, in my opinion, some universal truths to fantasy golf.

Evaluate numbers

If you’ve read any of my prior articles, then you are familiar with the statistical categories that I currently give priority and emphasize. For those drawing a blank, those categories are: all-around ranking; ball-striking; par-5 birdie or better leaders; strokes gained: putting; and strokes gained: tee-to-green.

You may agree or disagree with those benchmarks and they will certainly evolve, but the larger point is don’t skip the small stuff. Instinct is important especially if you follow professional golf closely, yet it isn’t a replacement for crunching the readily available numbers through the PGA Tour. And to that point, it is particularly important when trying to fill out a competitive lineup in a daily fantasy game.

Aggregate value

While this is a bit more oriented toward a daily fantasy game, don’t inevitably go for the big fish, just because it seems to be a smallish pond or convenient. For example, given the field earlier this month at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, other fantasy sources almost uniformly suggested Matt Kuchar was a best bet at that event. He was incidentally the most expensive player in the DraftKings’ daily game. For several reasons, I recommended GolfWRX readers to avoid Kuchar.

Why? Because Kuchar’s value did not match his likelihood of winning; notably, Kuchar finished T-68. In conjunction with crunching numbers, you can create value by sometimes avoiding the big name that hasn’t truly justified his cost in favor of other guys with less fanfare and more actual value.

Utilize resources

This overlaps with crunching numbers, but also covers (importantly) being open to all available sources. Two of the very best, in my opinion, are Rob Bolton, PGA Tour and Rotoworld Golf, and Sean Martin, PGA Tour and Golfweek. Known by some as the Big Dog and the Oracle, respectively, both Bolton and Martin have changed my mind in recent weeks about certain players under consideration for lineups.

For you, it may not be Bolton or Martin, but the larger message is don’t stick your head in the sand. Again, trusting your instincts in connection with crunching numbers is invaluable. That said, there are experts out there giving insight and information, all of which is both relevant and free. Tunnel vision in fantasy golf can be a killer because almost any player can win any given week on the PGA Tour in 2015-2016. When you (or I) forget that, sometimes the obvious is overlooked.

Don’t fear getting it wrong

At the CIMB Classic, I recommended that GolfWRX readers avoid Adam Scott for a variety of reasons, including, his ongoing putting woes and somewhat unexpected introduction of the regulation length putter before Jan. 1, 2016. I was wrong. Scott posted a final-round 63 and finished second behind young gun Justin Thomas. Conversely, I suggested that Smylie Kaufman be given serious consideration back at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. He won after closing with 61. I was right. It can go either way and often does.

So what? So this… you’re going to get it wrong at times, even if you play by the book, whether it’s yours or mine. While I’ve been right more often than not since the Deutsche Bank Championship, it can change any time. Don’t fear getting it wrong or you may regularly risk not getting it right.

Consider both pictures

You’re probably thinking, “what are both pictures?” Honestly, it can be whatever you want them to be, but I am referring to both the big and small, i.e., perspective. Last week’s finish and who seemingly has a hot hand is equally important, in my view, as overall play in the prior 12 months and readily statistics for almost any given PGA Tour player. Graeme McDowell is a great example. After struggling for most of 2015 and producing arguably his worst season ever, he beat Russell Knox and Jason Bohn in a playoff to win the 2015 OHL at Mayakoba Classic.

Given his play in the past 12 months outside of that event, it made little sense to take McDowell this past week at The RSM Classic. Yet, McDowell is a player with tremendous pedigree, had a seemingly hot hand after winning in Mexico, and was in my view worthy of consideration. He finished 3rd. Conversely, Kevin Kisner played well in Shanghai at the HSBC Champions back in October, but was suffering from a bad back. A question mark so to speak headed to The RSM Classic, except that he posted four second-place finishes in the 2014-2015 season and played well on a regular basis. He won. Both players made my roster last week in a season-long fantasy competition. The point is take it all in and again, avoid tunnel vision.

Set reasonable expectations

PGA Tour players are human and practically working hard 24-7, 365 days to be the best golfers they can be. There are no guarantees, despite everyone’s best intentions and efforts all around. With respect to daily fantasy games, in particular, you are playing against some individuals who live, die, and make a living by participating in these competitions. The point being, keep things in perspective, enjoy the competition, and revel in success when you are lucky enough to earn it. Be reasonable in your expectations and that of your picks, as much as possible.

It’s never personal 

Regardless of the angle or content of my prior articles on GolfWRX pertaining to fantasy golf on the PGA Tour, reader feedback occasionally calls into question the intent of naming or not naming players. It’s never personal. As the guys at No Laying Up say, I consider myself an all-time “fanalyst.”

I understand and the reality is that not every player can win any given week. Further, not everyone teeing it up on Thursday in round one of a PGA Tour event will be playing that Saturday and Sunday to post a top-10. Whether talking about overvalued players or bad bets, facts are simply facts and my choices are guided by the essentials found in this article. In doing so, my weekly picks for GolfWRX are the by-product of a process and never something personal.

DraftKings fantasy golf contests resume at the Hero World Challenge on Dec. 3, but the company is offering GolfWRX readers who are new DraftKings users free entry into the $750,000 Thanksgiving Day NFL Football contest.