It may sound logical but always look for the easiest way to the hole. When you are standing on the green, look at the position of the flag. If the flag is on the right edge of the green then coming in from the left side of the fairway will leave the easier shot.
If the hole is cut near a bunker or hazard, a shot to the middle of the green is often the best play. Is the flag at the top of a slope, in which case you will want to be hitting your putt up the slope if at all possible.
Before you start to play a hole, imagine where you would like to position your shots to have the easiest journey to the flag. Hitting from the fairway is much easier than hitting from the rough or a bunker.
Hazards
On some holes you may find hazards that you can't get over. It's sensible to lay up short in this case. A common error in 'laying up' is to use too much club so ending up in the hazard! If you're going to lay up, then don't mess with with hazard, choose a club which will allow your ball to finish short of the hazard.
Dog Legs
We all think we can hit further than we actually can and therefore the temptation to cut off 'as much as possible' is a real one. In most cases it is better to be wider off the tee than too narrow as this will keep you out of trouble and give a better view.
Recovery Shots
Very often even when we have carefully planned where we would like the ball to be, we find that an 'escape' shot of some sort is required. The safe option is alway best - it may mean you possibly will drop a shot, but better to drop one than make a triple. Don't 'have a go' unless it doesn't matter, or you are very confident you can make the shot.
When you are in a bunker, your primary aim should be to get out - in one shot. If you do not use the correct club and end up back in the bunker, then you have made a silly mistake and incurred an extra shot or two!
You need to assess your ability and correctly play the course according to make the most of that. Getting that elusive score is what keeps us coming back week after week................
