First, make your plan for the entire hole before you tee off. Too many golfers just hit the ball and deal with what they have left as they go along. Develop a better plan than that.
For example, most par 5s measure less than 500 yards from the white tees. If you don't have the length to reach the green in two, you can play three easy shots of 200 yards, 175 yards, and 125 yards to get you those 500 yards. That's a 3-wood, a 3- or 4-hybrid, and a 9-iron. Simple.
Second, make sure you get your tee shot in the fairway. Tee off with the longest club that you feel confident will get that done. This might not always be your driver. A fairway wood might be a better choice because it gives you a reasonable amount of distance and you can hit it straighter. As a rule, save your driver for when you absolutely need the distance it gives you. If you're not going for the green in two, you don't need a driver's distance unless the hole is a really long one.
The second shot is the key to getting your par, because it sets up your approach. Figure out the spot from where you want to hit your third shot into the green, and hit your second shot to that spot. Don't just try to eat up yards with your second. Play it to a spot. Hitting an iron instead of a fairway wood makes so much sense. There's nothing to be gained by hitting a fairway wood for the second shot unless you know you can get on the green with it.
Aim your third shot into the green for halfway between the pin and the center of the green. Give yourself lots of room for error. All you want to do here is make sure your next shot is a putt, at a reasonable distance from the pin.
Finally, start paying attention to which shots you normally use to play into the green on par 5s--9-iron, 75-yard pitch, etc.--and get very good at those shots. That's how you secure your par, and on occasion, give yourself a good birdie chance.
Bob Jones is dedicated to showing recreational golfers the little things that anyone can install in their swing and game, that make a big difference in how well they play. For more FREE golf tips, and Bob's complete guide to playing good recreational golf, go to http://www.therecreationalgolfer.com/books.html