There are numerous reasons why players work the ball. They can hold it up into the wind. Work it away from trouble. Or fade or draw the ball to better get at different pin locations. A straight ball flight would be subject to the wind direction, so for example, if there is a left pin location, the wind is left to right, you would have to start the ball way left of the green and hope the wind brings it back on target.
Or you could draw the ball (right handed) into the wind and have your miss (if the wind overpowers the draw) be in the middle of the green. It also can improve the angle of attack depending on pin location and shape of the green. Also think about fairways that bend left or right. Shaping the ball allows them to utilize the most out of the course’s shape.
Do you have a go-to shot? Savvy golfers do. And in over to keep up with them, you need to develop a go-to golf shot. The shot might be a draw, a fade, or a stinger. But whatever it is, it’s a shot they know they can hit well whenever they want. Having a go-to shot like this can bail you out of trouble time and time again. It can also cut strokes from your scores. So, if you don’t have a go-to shot, develop one.
But if you want a true method to lower your golf score, it’s learning to work the ball. Golf isn’t a straight-line game, as one golf writer said. Not by a long shot. Instead, it’s a game of twists and turns, one that requires you to hit fades, draws, and other “crooked” shots to earn pars and birdies. Working the ball is what separates us from the pros.
Below are some golf tips that can help you learn to work the ball better. But first, let’s look at some golf tips on developing a go-to shot.
Develop A Go-To Golf Shot
Your first order of business is to develop a go-to shot if you don’t have one. Often, it’s a shot that you naturally hit well. For right-handed golfers, it’s often a fade. But it could also be a draw. Whatever it is, you need to work on it until you can hit it well in times of trouble. If you have a go to shot, it doesn’t hurt to work on it some more until it becomes second nature.
One way to master a go-to shot is to place a stake in the ground about 10 yards in front of you. Then try to hit draws or fades around it. Start the ball on one side of the stake, then hit shots that curve around it. The stake makes a great visual image for doing this. Also, rehearse your shot before actually hitting the ball. Make sure your hands are ahead of the ball at impact.
Golf Tips on Working the Ball
Below are some proven golf tips that boost your ability to work the ball when you need to:
• Hitting a Draw — Several ways exist that can help you do this. Strengthening your grip is one way, but that can lead to hooking when under pressure. Flattening your swing plane is a safer way. Plus, it produces more consistent results. As you swing down, the shaft should feel as if it’s somewhat parallel to the ground, almost as if you were swinging a baseball bat. This move closes the clubface slightly, producing the draw. Closing your stance also helps.
• Hitting a Fade — The key to hitting a fade is to open your stance a bit. That changes your swing path enough so that your clubface will be open slightly at impact. This adjustment reduces the amount you can swing down from the inside, which is critical to controlling the amount of fade you put on the shot. If it feels like you’re holding the face open a bit longer than usual through the hitting zone, you’re doing it right.
• Hitting It High or Low — The simplest way of hitting the ball high or low is changing ball position at address. To hit the ball low, move it back. To hit it high, move it up. But be careful! Moving it too far up or back can affect the shot in ways you don’t want. Moving it too far back, for instance, forces the ball to go right, if you’re a right-handed golfer. So, keep the changes to within three to four inches of center.
Work on these golf tips to improve your ability to work the ball—the real secret to scoring like the pros. Learning to work the ball like this increases your chances of beating any course you play. And while you may never learn to work the ball as well as the pros, getting better at it brings you one step closer to breaking 80 and lowering your golf handicap.
