Hello Golfers. Today’s question comes from Justin in Lake Forest Park. He explains that he is a decent golfer with a 14 handicap and hits the ball fairly solid most of the time. He writes that he hits only about one third of the greens in regulation and would like to know how to increase that number.
The first thing to consider is that it is easier to hit the green from the fairway than the rough or trees. Assuming that you are getting the ball into the fairway, and hitting the ball solid, the main cause for missing greens (and it is a common problem) is club selection. Most players do not take enough club for a particular shot.
The proper distance for a club is the distance you hit the ball when you make an average swing not a great swing. Here is an example. You have 150 yards to the flag. You hit your 7-iron between 140 yards and 150 yards. Is this the right club? If you hit your 7-iron great, you will be pin high at 150 yards. If you hit the ball average you will be 10 yards short at 140 yards. If you hit the ball badly, you will be 20 yards short at 130 yards.
In this scenario, the worst case is your ball will be 20 yards from the hole. Let us assume you hit your 6-iron between 150 and 160 yards. Using the same target at 150 yards, you hit your 6-iron great and it goes 160 yards, 10 yards past the pin. You hit the 6-iron average and it goes 150 yards, pin high. Finally you hit your 6 iron poorly and it goes 140 yards, which leaves you 10 yards short.
With the 6-iron, the worst case is you will be 10 yards from the hole (10 yards long or 10 yards short). The conclusion is that at 150 yards your club selection should be a 6-iron. This will allow you to hit the green even though you don’t hit the ball great. Next time you play golf remember that you want to think about how far an average shot will go, not a great shot.
Please send your questions to tyroneh@ballingerlakegolf.com. Tyrone Hardy is the Director of Golf at Ballinger Lake Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace. See www.ballingerlakegolf.com.
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