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