| Golf is all about making decisions. Making good | | | | Make sure there are no "major impediments" between |
| decisions cuts strokes from your score. Making bad | | | | you and the green. By impediments we mean bunkers, |
| decisions adds strokes to your score. Make enough | | | | streams, or thick tuffs of grass. The existence of |
| bad decisions during a round and your score-and | | | | obstacles between you and the green automatically |
| maybe your golf handicap-balloons, golf lessons and | | | | eliminates this option. |
| golf tips notwithstanding. | | | | Flag To Back Of Green |
| Among the toughest short game challenges in golf is | | | | Ideally, you want the flag toward the back of the |
| deciding when to hit go high and when to go low, when | | | | green. The closer the hole is to the back of the green, |
| to hit a high arching pitch shot that hits the green and | | | | the better. That gives you some running room for your |
| sticks and when to hit a low trajectory shot that runs | | | | ball. It's hard to be precise with this shot when the ball |
| along the ground's contours and rolls onto the green. | | | | is too close to the front of the green. Many players |
| For golfers serious about shaving strokes off their golf | | | | with low golf handicaps avoid this shot if the flag is too |
| handicaps, waging a ground campaign has its | | | | close to the front of the green. |
| advantages. | | | | Interference From Trees And Bushes |
| Benefits of Keeping It Low | | | | Keeping it low is wise when under a tree or large bush |
| Admittedly, hitting a high approach shot is fun. It also | | | | that doesn't allow for a full swing, or when the |
| has its advantages. It builds self -confidence and takes | | | | branches of a tree may interfere with your swing. In |
| pressure off your putting. Anytime you do that, you | | | | these cases you may not have any choice. Keeping it |
| win. But few weekend golfers hit a high shot with | | | | low is also wise when you're behind a tree or bush |
| consistency and accuracy. Difficult to master, a high | | | | and you're not comfortable trying to go over the top |
| shot isn't always practical either, like on a windy day. It's | | | | Dealing With Wind |
| also risky. You could find yourself in a heap of trouble, | | | | Keeping the ball low is a preferred approach on windy |
| if you mis-hit the shot. | | | | days or when the hole itself has a lot of wind. Some |
| Keeping the ball low, on the other had, is an effective | | | | holes because of their placement are windier than |
| approach shot strategy, used by many players with | | | | others. The wind plays havoc with balls hit too high. |
| low golf handicaps. It's an all around safer shot and its | | | | The wind can blow your ball to the right or the left, |
| ideal for when it's windy and/or the ground is hard and | | | | knock it down or carry it forward. Whatever the case, |
| not conducive to using a lofted club. It's also easier to | | | | you lose some control of the ball. |
| learn and master than hitting a high arching approach | | | | Keeping the ball low is a safer, more effective shot in |
| shot. And it takes much of the risk out of the short | | | | high winds than hitting a high approach shot. A low |
| game. | | | | shot can bore through the wind and hold its line much |
| When To Use The Ground Game | | | | better than a high arching shot. Keeping it low is also |
| But to use this strategy to your advantage, you must | | | | an option from about 30 yards and in, when there are |
| know when to wage a ground campaign and when | | | | no impediments between you and the green, and |
| not to, as I tell students who attend my golf instruction | | | | when you're under a tree or bush, preventing you from |
| sessions. Below are some situations that encourage | | | | taking a full swing. |
| the ground game strategy. | | | | Even if you can't reach the green with a low running |
| Close To Green | | | | shot, it may still be an option if you're looking to lay-up |
| You need to be fairly close to the green to hit a low | | | | for an approach shot over water or just to put the ball |
| running shot. You don't want to try it from 150 yards | | | | back in play on the fairway. Keeping it low takes a |
| out unless your have to. There's just too much ground | | | | great deal of risk out of your short-game strategy. |
| between yourself and the pin for this strategy to work. | | | | Anything that takes risk out of your short game usually |
| Keeping the ball low is an option from about 30 yards | | | | takes pressure off your putting and that can't help but |
| and in. | | | | improve your golf handicap. |
| No Impediments | | | | |