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The post Go for it or lay up? Here’s how to simplify your decision appeared first on Golf.

Sure, we all love biting down and gripping the club as hard as we can to produce insane clubhead speed to carry something like water or bunkers, but, deep down, many of us probably know that laying up is often the smarter golf decision.

But is it always?

In the video below (courtesy of Titleist’s YouTube channel), Michael Breed — one of GOLF’s Top 100 Lifetime Achievement Teachers — walks us through some key stats to consider when trying to decide whether to go for it versus laying up. While certain situations call for different strategies, Breed’s tips are a good way to think about how aggressive (or conservative) you should be.

Is laying up smarter than going for it? Use these stats to make your decision

In the video, Breed’s staring down a shot that has 280 yards to the flag, 265 yards to the front edge of the green, and 250 yards to carry a small bunker near the putting surface — so it’s a big shot that requires some strategy.

As he talks over his options with fellow teacher Greg Ducharme, Breed takes into account the downwind and his downhill lie, the latter he says may make it more difficult to reach the green in two with his 3-wood. He also notices a creek that runs across the fairway, adding more pressure to hit the perfect shot.

“If you want to make birdie or eagle, the statistics say you’ve got to go for the green and get it up as close as you possibly can,” Ducharme tells Breed. “All you’ve got to do is make solid contact and you can make eagle here.”

So is laying up smarter than going for it? Breed and Ducharme walk through both scenarios.

Instruction

“All the stats and information support what [Greg] said, but you have to factor in a bunch of different things,” Breed adds. “First, how are you feeling about your game? Are you playing well, or are you not playing well?”

Another thing to take into account is what part of the round this shot presents itself. Is it late in the round and you’re feeling OK with how you’ve hit the ball all day, or is it earlier in the day and you’re still figuring out your game?

After going through different factors, Breed ultimately decides to use the 3-wood — but he explains what laying up on this type of shot should look like.

“If I decided to lay up, I’m going to lay up to 170 yards, [and with a 280-yard shot] it’d leave me 110 yards,” he says. “So when you’re thinking about laying up, think about the angles. I’d probably hit a 7-iron down the lefthand side to get that angle [into the green].”

So why lay up to the left? Breed explains the strategy.

“The game is a zig-zag game, so if I want to get to a right hole location, the more I stretch this to the left, the more it takes the flag and moves it to the center of the green,” he adds.

While Breed hits a perfect shot with his 3-wood that lands short of the green before rolling up onto it, he reminds players to walk through the factors before landing on the best decision in the moment.

“You’ve got to think about a lot of different things, not just [rely on] what the statistics say,” Breed says. “Understand them, but don’t always play by them.”

Check out the new Titliest GT Drivers – the next generation of Titleist driving excellence.

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The post How do high-handicap golfers get better? Master this shot appeared first on Golf.

The post How do high-handicap golfers get better? Master this shot appeared first on Golf.

But there are also some areas of your game that are more important to sharpen first.

At GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers Summit last year, we asked some of the best instructors in the States to offer up their go-to advice for the high-handicapper who is dedicated to slashing strokes off their scorecard.

Trillium Rose’s advice? Master the 30-to-50-yard wedge shot.

Instruction

“You can just hit squirrely shots down to the green, but once you get there, alright, times up, now you actually have to hit the green,” said Rose, the director of instruction at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md. “Doesn’t matter if you skulled one and then you top it or thin it [to get closer to the green], now that you are 50 yards out you have to have a go-to 50-yard shot. And if you do, you are going to be OK.”

It’s a challenging yardage for any golfer, especially the high-handicappers who might not have as much trust in half swings or delicate pitch shots. It’s also out of the range where you might be able to putt, which is a go-to option for many amateurs off the greens.

Rose said she has a specific game plan for playing shots from these yardages.

First, ball position should be middle of your stance and shaft angle should be neutral. Put 60 percent of your weight on your front foot. When you take your backswing, there should be wrist hinge but keep it minimal. From there, with that weight still on the front foot, rotate and bring the chest through for a full-body rotation.

Rose says this works for whichever club you want to use in this situation, whether it be a pitching wedge, 54 degree or 56 degree.

Check out the video below Rose recently posted that breaks down this type of shot. You can view more of her golf instruction videos here.

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The post A simple trick to make lag putting a breeze appeared first on Golf.

The post A simple trick to make lag putting a breeze appeared first on Golf.

When I ask my rec students how they adjust their strokes to roll the ball various lengths, they invariably reply, “by changing the speed of my stroke.” This is why they never get close. A fundamental fact is that the speed of your stroke naturally changes based upon the length of the backstroke. Shorter putts mandate shorter backstrokes and longer putts require longer backstrokes. Everything else stays the same. It’s that easy.

The question begs, then, “How long a backstroke should I make?” Here’s an easy way to find out. 

On any putt, stand next to the ball and simply walk toward the cup. Count how many steps you need to reach the hole. (One step should equal approximately three feet.) Now, some simple math: Add one inch of backstroke length for every step you take. For example, if it takes you five paces to reach the hole, then plan on making a backstroke five inches in length (with slight adjustments if the putt is uphill or downhill or if the green is running fast or slow).

 As you swing your putter, avoid the urge to add speed — great putters complete their backstroke, then simply let the putter fall to the ball. You may not always sink the putt with this technique, but you’ll always be near the hole, regardless of length. 

Kellie Stenzel is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who teaches at the Palm Beach Par 3 and The Boca Raton in Fla.

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For help making sure you drill all those shorties, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Trillium Rose has a simple tip that can help you.

In a video posted on Titleist’s YouTube page, Rose says there’s one simple key to ensuring those short putts roll in every time — keeping your hands quiet.

“You want to keep your hands out of [the stroke],” Rose says. “Having said that, you still need to make a little swing. So you’re gonna try to feel another way to do the swing, whether it’s in your shoulders or in your abs or somewhere else other than just your hands.”

Whatever you need to think about to engage these parts of your body — rocking a baby in a cradle, pushing your lead shoulder back and through — will be helpful, as long as the hands stay out of the stroke.

Putting

The next key is setting the putterface up for success at address.

“You need to set the face so it’s perfectly aimed at the cup,” Rose says. “It’s very important.”

Finally, you’re ready to putt, and Rose recommends keeping your stroke as short as possible.

“A tiny little tap doesn’t give me any opportunity to wiggle my hands,” she says, “and it’s going to ensure that I sink those little ones every time.”

Give Rose’s advice a try during your next round to sink every shortie you face on the course. And to watch a video of Rose’s tip in its entirety, click here.

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The post A wrist stretch to add some much-needed extra yardage to your drives appeared first on Golf.

The post A wrist stretch to add some much-needed extra yardage to your drives appeared first on Golf.

Here’s an easy 60-second stretch that’ll get your mitts warm so you can max out your clubhead speed and, more important, avoid injury.

Simply extend your lead arm with your palm facing down. Using your opposite hand, pull your lead hand straight down (1), using pressure to elongate the muscles in your wrist. Hold for 10 seconds. Next, rotate your arm so that your palm is facing up and do the same: Pull your fingers down and hold (2). You should feel a good stretch from the tips of your fingers through your palm and up to your elbow. As you can guess, you should repeat these stretches with your trail hand.

Now these important speed producers are warm and ready for action. It’s also not a bad idea to do a quick version of these stretches before attempting a shot from deep rough, when most wrist injuries occur.

Scott Munroe is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who teaches at The Boca Raton Club in Boca Raton, Fla., and Nantucket GC in Siasconset, Mass.

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The post Use this trick to move your low point forward and crush your irons appeared first on Golf.

The post Use this trick to move your low point forward and crush your irons appeared first on Golf.

Here’s how to visualize what you need to do. At address, picture a line running straight down to the ground just off your lead shoulder (below, left). Just as you reach the end of your backswing, your goal is to shift your body forward, getting your lead shoulder a good half foot in front of the imaginary line (below, right). Notice in the picture how everything — my head, torso, hips and lower body — have shifted toward the target.

When attempting this, a lot of rec players simply tilt their hips toward the target. That’ll only cause your upper body to hang back and move the bottom of your arc behind the ball. Not good!

Once you get it right, you’ll not only hear the sound of pure compression, you’ll feel it. 

Brady Riggs is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who teaches at Hansen Dam GC in Pacoima, Calif., and PGA WEST Golf Academy in La Quinta, Calif

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What I’ve noticed over the years is that most struggling iron players are overly concerned with body turn. Body turn is important but not when it comes at the expense of getting your hands and arms involved. Ignoring these body parts almost always results in holding on too long after impact. Great iron players release their hands and the club post-impact with authority.

To learn how they do it, grab any iron and set up to the ball with your feet close together. This narrow stance will curb you from using too much body action. Make your backswing and focus on moving only your arms as you swing through the ball and into your finish.

You’ve done it correctly if, after impact, your hands have released with the shaft pointing more toward the ground than behind you (a classic hold position). 

David Woods is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and PGA Tour instructor. For more, visit prosendrgolf.com.

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The post Every golfer should do this 1 thing in fairway bunkers, says top teacher appeared first on Golf.

The post Every golfer should do this 1 thing in fairway bunkers, says top teacher appeared first on Golf.

According to McCormick, there’s one adjustment every golfer should make from a fairway bunker lie that most players overlook: building a base. 

McCormick explains that the reason you need a solid foundation is because it prevents your foot from slipping, which he says is a common issue many amateurs run into from tough sandy lies.

“There’s a high probability as you’re in transition, because you’re hitting on this unstable surface, the back foot is going to slip out,” McCormick says. “If it slips out, you’ll likely hit it fat.”

But you don’t want to just dig your feet deeper into the sand. To properly build your foundation, McCormick suggests tipping your trail toe into the sand and digging from the front half of your foot. If you’ve done it right, it should almost feel like you’re wearing a shoe with a big heel on it. 

“[Digging your trail toe] is going to give you greater purchase as you transition into the downswing to prevent that foot from slipping out, and you’re going to start to make much better contact as a result of having this angled trail foot leveraged into the sand,” McCormick says.

By building your base with his tip-toe method, you’ll ensure that your foot stays grounded and you’re able to make a more stable swing. Try this simple set-up adjustment to improve your contact next time you find yourself in one of those pesky fairway bunkers.

Check out the new Titliest GT Drivers – the next generation of Titleist driving excellence.

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If you’re trying to be a successful links golfer, there are a few shots you must master. Here are 10 I recommend.

1. Standard chip shot

With so many tightly mown areas surrounding the greens, it’s important to become skilled at the standard chip shot. You’ll want something that has predictable flight and roll out so you can cozy any shot around the green close to the cup. Focus on a consistent setup and proper shaft lean to generate the best contact.

2. Bump and run

The bump and run is another stock shot you’ll want to have in the bag. This shot will come out a little lower and roll out more than your standard chip shot. Take a lower lofted club and use more of a putting stroke to get the ball on the ground and watch it roll out.

3. Pitch from tight lie

Sometimes you’ll have a shot that needs to carry a bunker, but it’ll come from a tight lie. You’d be wise to learn how to hit a pitch from these tricky spots. Focus on engaging the bounce on the bottom of the club, and make sure you’ve got wedges that are fitted for firm turf conditions.

4. Shot from a pot bunker

Pot bunkers are beautiful, but they can be tricky to escape. You’ll need to get the ball up in the air quickly, so grab a wedge that has plenty of loft on it. Open the clubface up and don’t be afraid to take a full swing at the ball – just make sure you take enough sand to pop the ball out.

5. Escape from a fairway bunker

Bunker Shots

Fairway bunkers on a links course can be punishing, and sometimes the best strategy is just taking your medicine and simply pitching out onto the short grass. When you find yourself in this situation, assess how much club you need to clear the lip and then change your ball position from there. The higher the lip, the more forward you should put the ball so you can take more sand and get a a higher launch angle.

6. Fescue chop out

Fescue outlining the edges of the course make for beautiful scenery, but can be quite penal when you hit into it. Unless you get lucky and have a perfect lie, you’ll likely be best served to just hack it back into the fairway. Choose a club with plenty of loft and make a descending blow on the ball. (You can do this by putting lots of weight on your front foot.) The ball should pop right out and get back to safety in the fairway.

7. Draw with a driver

Being able to hit a draw with your driver is a huge asset as you can keep the ball from ballooning in the wind and losing distance. If a draw isn’t your typical shot shape, use the a club wrench to adjust the settings on your driver to help you out a bit.

8. Knockdown iron

Keeping your irons down in the wind is also a must. Use a knockdown shot is the perfect way to do that. Simply take a little more club and position the ball further back in your stance. Then take a three-quarter swing. The ball should come out a bit lower with less spin and stay down out of the wind.

9. Lag putt

Links courses have some of the biggest greens in the world, so you’ll likely face your fair share of lag putts. Be sure to dial in your speed on the practice greens beforehand so you’re able to properly gauge your lags and leave yourself some stress-free two putts.

10. Understand your terrain

This is not a shot, but rather a skill you need to master before you play links golf. You’ll be playing the ball along the ground quite a bit, so understanding the land movement is a must. I’d recommend GolfLogix as a great place to start.

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The post Use a water bottle to master your footwork for optimal weight shift. Here’s how appeared first on Golf.

The post Use a water bottle to master your footwork for optimal weight shift. Here’s how appeared first on Golf.

Sure, squaring the clubface to hit the ball pure is the name of the game, but you can’t do that if you’re hanging back or leaning too far forward as you come into impact. When you make either one of those mistakes, your attack angle is all out of whack and you’re not finding the low point of the club. This leads to chunked or skulled shots — which no player likes experiencing.

Instruction

So what’s a good way to dial in the correct weight shift in your golf swing? Believe it or not, by using a water bottle!

Remember that whole, I’m no golf teacher thing? Since I don’t have the credentials to explain why this works, I’ll let GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jason Baile do it in the video below (courtesy of Titleist’s YouTube channel).

How a water bottle will improve your weight shift in the golf swing

“If you’re one of those people that just hang back and don’t get the lower body shifted laterally quite soon enough, here’s a great drill for you,” Baile says.

Baile says to simply put a water bottle on the inside of your trail foot, take your normal address position, and work on getting the lower body shifting from the back to the front in the golf swing — “not necessarily turned”, he adds.

“We want to get your [lower half] shifted very early in the downswing, moving the pressure from the inside of the [trail foot] over to the [lead foot], allowing the trail foot to bank and try to knock that water bottle over by impact,” Baile explains.

Instruction

Next, Baile explains how your weight should be distributed at setup, using a little more force on that lead leg, before shifting it back during your takeaway.

“Feel like there’s a little pressure on the [lead foot], maybe 55 percent, and move that to the trail leg in the backswing,” he says. “Use that pressure to load the backside and shift the pelvis downhill to the left before the club hits the golf ball.”

With the instant feedback from the water bottle, you’ll be able to master your footwork, improve the weight shift in the golf swing, and find the low point of the club more consistently at impact. So give this a try during your next visit to the driving range.

Check out the new Titliest GT Drivers – the next generation of Titleist driving excellence.

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