Playing Tips
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Playing Tips
Practical advice on what to do in various golfing situations. Covering tips on how to play from uneven lies to playing in poor weather conditions.
Bunker trouble - There are bunker shots and then there are bunker shots... this deep faced bunker with the ball buried in it's own pitch mark and in very soft sand makes for a very tricky shot for this player.
Because the ball is above your feet the tendency is for the ball to go left due to the effect of the slope and the loft of the club you are using. Therefore aim slightly more to the right than you normally would.
Align your shoulders with the slope of the bunker. In this case (from the picture on the left) the player should lower the right shoulder and keep the left shoulder high.
Open the club face, swing back and hit hard into the sand approximately 1-2 inches behind the ball. Because the sand is soft the club head will bury in the sand - so do not expect a full follow through.
The ball is going to come out slightly hot and probably run out a little. This is where tactics come into play - the player should ensure that they get out and onto the green and putting with their next shot". Watch out for other hazards - like that second bunker beyond the green!
Uneven lies
Ball above feet - typically the ball will fly to the left. This is because the loft on the club will effectively be creating a new angle the club will strike the ball and the loft will send the ball to the left.
Top Tip: Grip down on club and aim slightly right of the target. Play the ball slightly back in your stance nearer the right foot than you would from a level lie on flat ground.
Ball below feet - in this scenario the ball will most likely curve to the right.
Top Tip: Compensate and aim slightly left - grip the club as far as you can toward the end of the grip to effectively lengthen the club to make better contact with the ball and avoid thin or mishit shots.
Playing uphill - Align your hips and shoulders on the angle of the slope. Allow plenty of club as uphill shots are likely not to travel or roll as far as normal or downhill shots.
Top Tip: The ball is likely to move to the left when hit from an uphill lie - aim slightly more to the right than normal. Ensure you hit the ball first before the ground
Playing downhill - Align you shoulders and hips parallel to the angle of the slope. Take into account the effect of the slope on the shot and consider taking less club than normal.
Top Tip: The ball is likely to move to the right when hit from a downhill lie - aim to the left slightly more than normal. If the slope is severe then take a shorter swing than normal and hit down and follow the slope with your divot and into your follow through. Otherwise you may hit a thin shot.
Playing in difficult weather conditions:
Playing in the wet - From wet fairways it becomes more important than ever to make sure you get good solid contact with the ball then turf. Wet greens are likely to be more receptive to well struck iron shots so allow for the ball to stop quickly.
Playing in the wind - A cold wind seems to effect the ball more than a warm wind. Even a strong cold wind from behind will effect the ball flight and knock it down. Take more club and swing "easy". If you swing harder in the wind you will only get more backspin on the ball. The ball will go higher and be more affected by the wind.
Playing in winter - it's cold, wet and sometimes very windy. You have extra clothes on and the air is thick and heavy. Do not expect the ball to travel as far as it does in the summer - most people underestimate the effect the cold and windy weather have on their golf shots. You really are much better off taking more club and swinging slowly and evenly than trying to force a higher lofted or shorter club into a headwind. On an average persons drive the cold winter weather can easily knock 50 or more yards off your Sunday best drive.
Playing in the heat - Don't wait until you feel thirsty before you drink in hot weather. By that time you will already start to dehydrate. When that happens you stop performing at your best. Give yourself a good chance of playing well and keep well hydrated in hot and sunny conditions.
