Get it on the ground
One thing I have learned from teaching and watching tour players
around the green is they want the ball on the ground ASAP. A ball
in the air is out of your control. When it is rolling you know,
just like a putt, how the ball will move due to the contour of the
green. That is control. So you need to learn how the ball will roll
with all your irons, and don’t forget the hybrids.
Get it on the ground
One thing I have learned from teaching and watching tour players around the green is they want the ball on the ground ASAP. A ball in the air is out of your control. When it is rolling you know, just like a putt, how the ball will move due to the contour of the green. That is control. So you need to learn how the ball will roll with all your irons, and don’t forget the hybrids.
Here is a drill that can teach you how to make the ball roll as far as needed. Get a small washcloth or handkerchief. Make sure it is white – I’ll explain later. Take the cloth and put it about 10 feet in on the green. Now get your practice balls and drop them down about 10 feet off the green. You can vary this when you get better at this. Now start with your sand wedge and try and chip the ball onto the cloth. The object of this drill is to be able to land the ball onto the cloth with all your irons.
This way you will be able to land the ball on a desired spot on the green and by changing irons to control the distance the ball will roll. The reason I want you to use a white cloth is so you will have a vivid spot to land the ball on. This is a great visualization tool you can draw on when you play this shot during a round. It will be like the white dot you get when you look away after looking at the sun. If you are really serious use the same type of balls you play with to get the correct feel of how far they will run. Play well.
Eagle Ridges’ Kids Course is open every Sunday starting at 2 pm. It is for kids 12 and under. Please join us.
Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at sk*****@ea**********.com. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
