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Golf tips that can Improve your Game for Free
Golf Teaching Aid - Hitting The Approach Shot
Author: Terry Edwards
Article:
There is no doubt that the approach shot to the green is one of
the most important shots in your golf game. Hit it high and
tight to the pin and you're set up for an excellent birdie
opportunity. Hit thin or fat and you're set up for a bogey
opportunity or even worse. This is why you need to spend time on
the practice range hitting approach shots.
I see many higher handicap golfers struggle with their approach
shots into the green. It's understandable as this shot can be a
little tricky, but you it certainly doesn't have to get the best
of you. Here is a golf teaching aid designed to help you improve
your approach shots and begin hitting more greens in regulation.
Let's get started.
You have three basic approach shots during your round of golf.
The chip shot, pitch shot and the flop shot. Of course there are
variations to these, but we will stick to these three.
The Pitch Shot
This is the most common of the golf approach shots. Any time
you're 50-110 yards away from the green you'll hit a pitch shot
with your pitching wedge or sand wedge.
You will want to open your stance a little more than with your
other golf shots. Be sure to line up with the ball in line with
your back foot. You want to take a full swing when hitting a
pitch shot. Avoid trying to get fancy and hit a half, or
three-quarters shot. Time and time again you will hit the fall
thin or fat. To reduce the distance the golf ball travels, choke
down on the club a little. Practice on the range with distances.
Let the golf club do the work, don't try and steer the ball.
The Chip Shot
Next is the chip shot. With this shot you're not looking to hit
it a great distance. The idea behind hitting a chip shot is to
hit it a short distance, and let the golf ball roll on the green
to the hole. The optimum way is to hit the ball 1/3 of the way
to the hole, and let it roll the other 2/3 of the way to the
pin. Obviously, the chip shot is used when you have a lot of
green in front of you to work with.
Use a less lofted club like a 7, 8 or 9 iron to hit this shot.
Put the ball back in your stance and keep your weight on the
left side. If you don't you can easily hit the ball too hard and
fly it past the green. You only want a half swing for this shot,
and finish with a half follow through. Again, let the club do
the work and don't try and steer it toward the target.
The Flop Shot
I'll tell you up front; this is a difficult shot to perfect. You
see Phil Mickelson hit this shot and make it look easy, but he
practices for hours every week on it. When you have to fly the
golf ball over a sand trap, or a small tree, etc., the flop shot
can be ideal. You'll want to use the most lofted club you have,
a 60 degree wedge if possible. This shot requires you to get the
ball up as high as possible and have it drop down and stick
where it lands. You must have a wide-open stance and hit under
the ball. This shot will take a lot of practice, so don't be
frustrated when it doesn't happen overnight. But, once you get
it down it will come in handy on the golf course.
By spending some time on the golf driving range with these three
different shots, you will improve your short game dramatically.
You will soon be hitting more greens in regulation and lowering
your golf score.
About the author:
Terry Edwards writes golf instruction articles designed to help
all golfers lower their scores and have more fun out on the
course. You can learn more on how to Lower Your Golf Scores and play better golf by visiting his website.
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