Pace of Play
We hope you adopted our tips last month and it’s helped everyone to get around the course quicker. This month we have a couple more tips that will be sure to improve the speed of play and make golf more enjoyable for everyone on the course.
Plan your shot before you get to your ball
Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it’s your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disrupting them. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it’s your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time
Keep your pre-shot routine short
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it’s your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.
Lob (Flop) Shots – Sand wedge or Lob Wedge
Often we are faced with shots where we need to get the ball over a bunker or stop the ball quickly to a short-sided flagstick.
Commonly a golfer may try to lift the ball in the air and blade it across the green or use the leading edge and stab at their shot and hit the ball a few meters in front of them. If this is you please read on.
While this shot can look scary, it is achievable if you employ the correct technique. The keys to getting height and to land the ball softly is to utilise the club's loft and maintain an open club face through the shot. Also we need to keep clubhead speed up through the and utilise the bounce on the sole of the wedge. A basic feel for the swing is the letter U
Set up
Wide Stance (Driver Width) – Weight Forward – Hands Low – Open clubface 45 degrees at least (like bunkers) – Cupped Lead Hand
Execution
Back-Swing – back to at least 9 o’clock – Downswing – now feel the bottom hand stay under the shaft and feel the clubhead passing the hands at impact – Arms feel close to our body to maintain connection – the bounce of the wedge pinches the turf and sends the ball upwards – now complete your swing up to shoulder height.
Let us know how you go and if you need any help with this part of your game.
