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