Hitting accurate approach shots is a key to breaking 80. The more accurate your approach shot, the more strokes you save. But sometimes even a well-struck approach shot falls short of the green, leaving you just off the green. You could putt from this lie. But if the green slopes upward or the grass in front of your ball is a little thicker, putting could leave you short. A good option is a fairway metal (3- or 4-wood).
Below are seven keys to this shot:
· Choke down on the handle
· Use a putting grip (optional)
· Play the ball back in your stance
· Raise the handle a bit higher
· Favor your left side with your weight
· Use a putting stroke to putt the ball
· Keep the clubhead low
Your putter has only 4 or 5 degrees of loft. So you won’t be able to carry the ball to the hole, the grass is thicker or the green slopes upward rather sharply. A fairway metal has 15 to 20 degrees of loft. The extra loft can pop the ball up just enough to carry it to the green—a decided advantage when judging distance.
Since you’re using a long club to cover a short distance, grip down a few inches or even to the end of the rubber. Gripping down gives you more control over the shot. Also, stand tall with your weight favoring your front foot, as if you were putting the ball. Some golfers use a putting grip for this shot. That’s optional.
Swing the club as if you were hitting a long putt: Arms and shoulders, back and through. Don’t hinge your wrists. Keep them soft for better feel. Also, keep the clubhead low to the ground through impact. You only need to get the ball about an inch off the ground to carry it to the hole. Trust the loft on the club to get the ball in the air.
Judging distance is the key here. So practice the shot to learn how the ball comes off the clubface and how much of a stroke you need to chip it close. Master this shot and you’ll save par more often and cut strokes from your scores.
