Anyone who has played golf at any length of time has heard the
term that trees are 90 percent air. In other words, just hit the
ball right through them and nine out of 10 times you won’t hit
anything.
Right? Wrong.
Anyone who has played golf at any length of time has heard the term that trees are 90 percent air. In other words, just hit the ball right through them and nine out of 10 times you won’t hit anything.
Right? Wrong.
That is not a high percentage shot. It is just a term, not reality.
When faced with a shot from behind a tree, look for the opening. Is it under the branches or over the branches? How far away is the green or fairway? Most of the time, how you answer these questions will dictate what club you should hit.
Usually, the higher percentage and easier shot when behind a tree is to hit a low shot under and let the ball bounce to your target. Choosing to hit a high shot over requires more skill and practice.
If there is a sand trap guarding the green, then you would choose to go over both obstacles. If there is no sand trap, then running the ball up onto the green works fine. If you are on a long hole and the green is a long ways away, hit the low running shot instead of the high lob over the tree because it will go farther.
So remember, when you are behind a tree there is only one sure choice: Don’t try going through it, just go over or under.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
