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Playing the Trouble Shots
This information Supplied by my-golf-space.com

Every golfer, regardless of his skill, should learn to play trouble shots. They invariably come up during a round of golf, usually when you least expect them, and, if you have the experience and good judgment to cope with them, they shouldn't cause you too much concern. I would say that about 95 per cent of golfers do not know how to play trouble shots and, as a result, their scores (and handicaps) are usually several strokes higher than they should be.

PLAY THE PERCENTAGES

If you are faced with a trouble shot, don't "go for broke" and hack the ball into further trouble.

Play the shot that you are capable of hitting, not the one that you think you can hit. Get the ball out of trouble as fast as you can, and don't begrudge giving up a few yards in doing so.

Always remember to play the percentage shot, the one that you know you can hit, and trouble shooting will be easier for you.

THE HIGH SHOT.

If you find yourself in a situation where you must hit a high shot, position the ball a bit farther forward than normal, or about even with the left heel (Fig. 77). Aim to the left of your target, as the ten�dency here is to fade or slice the ball. The weight should be evenly dis�tributed on both feet. On the downswing, be sure and keep your head and shoulders behind the ball so as to catch the ball at the extreme bottom of the clubhead arc. On the follow-through, bring the arms up more quickly than when hitting a normal shot, to give added height to the trajectory of the ball.

THE LOW SHOT.

When hitting this shot, play the ball back toward the right foot, and set up with your weight on the left side. Take a three-quarter swing, and be sure to shift your weight very quickly to the left side at the start of the downswing. When following through toward thehole, extend the arms and hands fully toward the target, but do not allow them to swing up beyond shoulder height. This will keep the shot lower, for a punch shot into the wind or from underneath low-hanging branches of a tree.

HITTING AN INTENTIONAL HOOK OR SLICE

THE HOOK SHOT. This is a type of shot, when played properly, that starts out to the right of the target and then is drawn back toward the target by terrific right-to-left English which is put on the ball by the clubface swinging from the extreme inside out. Figure 79 illustrates how to set up for an intentional hook around a tree which may be blocking a straight-away swing toward the hole. Assume a closed stance, open the blade of the club slightly, and swing the club from the inside out more than you usually would. Make sure the hands turn over on this shot. With a little practice, you will be able to hit a controlled hook whenever the situation arises.

THE SLICE.

Assume an open stance, and swing from the outside in. Be sure to aim to the left of the target, and do not allow your hands to turn over in the hitting area. Thus you will impart left-to-right English to the ball, causing it to veer left and then right as it nears the target.
To Article Index

Golf Lesson - Intro
Golf Fundamentals
Golf grip
Golf stance
Golf Lesson Short Irons
Golf Lesson Med Irons
Golf Lesson Long Irons
Pitching #1
Pitching #2
Pitching #3
Chipping #1
Chipping #2
Golf Lesson Driver
Golf Lesson Driver #2
Golf Lesson Fairway wood
Golf Lesson Trouble #1
Golf Lesson Trouble #2
Golf Swing Review
Advanced Golf Lessons