Play Better Golf | Options Are Key
Options Are Key if you wish to Play Better Golf
I took a quick trip to Palm Springs a month ago for 3 days of golf and boy did I get exposed. The wind blew non-stop and my high fade got abused. It’s my favorite shot and the one I have worked so hard to groove. The shot is great…until the wind picks up.
Leave your High Fade at home!
This wasn’t just a slight breeze that showed up that weekend. The 18th hole on the North course at Terra Lago is a 480 yard par 4. We played that hole dead into the wind on Saturday and I hit driver, 3 wood. On Sunday, the hole was down wind and I hit 8 iron to the green. That gives you an idea how strong it was blowing.
Anyway, let’s get back to the point.
Hitting 1 shot all the time just doesn’t cut it. I was so frustrated that I came home and immediately started working on a low draw. I’ll be able to hit my go to shot about 80% of the time but it is absolutley necessary to have other options in the bag.
It’s easy to hit a lob wedge high, can you hit one low? What about options off the tee? Golf is played outdoors which means we must be able to deal with changing conditions. It became very apparent to me that weekend that I needed a couple new shots.
Most of my time at the range is still speant working on the fade, but not entirely. I’ve become conscious that I also need to practice the low draw. Next time you smash a few at the local range, play around until you can hit all different shots. I promise the time will come when every single one is needed.
The final step in learning new shots is always to take them to the course where real confidence is built. This past weekend provided the perfect opportunity. My cousin flew into town and he brought the wind with him. We played three days in a row in some stiff breeze and I was able to make use of the low draw. I don’t have it dialed yet, but I hit the ball much better than I did in Cali.
Pick up a couple new shots so you can play better golf in all conditions and avoid shooting miserable scores while on vacation like I did.
Talk soon,
Mike
Twitter: @Mike_Snyder