Key to Lower Scores
While you definitely need to stay out of trouble with your driver, the real key to lowering your scores and your handicap is from 150 yards in with what we call your scoring clubs. Most golfers hit an 8 or 7 iron from 150 yards. Your 7 iron down through your wedges to your putter are your scoring clubs. If you check the statistics for the leading money winners on every professional tour, you will find that hitting 70% of greens in regulation is the common denominator.
We will discuss chipping, pitching, and putting in future articles. Let’s focus first on getting to the green. It’s the approach shot that gives you the opportunity to chip it in or one putt for a birdie. Even when your drive has strayed off the fairway, a solid approach shot can save the hole. When you fix a lot of your own pitch marks on the green during your round, you’re probably scoring well.
Let’s start with the obvious:
- Don’t aim for the flag. Line up for the middle of the green. Happiness is having a birdie putt from any length.
- Focus on alignment rather than distance on your approach. I would rather be a club long or short and right in line leaving a 25-30 foot putt.
Alignment is very important on approach shots. When you are practicing on the range, go through your pre-shot routine on every shot and focus on alignment. Align your shoulders, hips, and feet parallel to your target line. Many pro golfers will pick a spot a few feet in front of the ball on their target line to assist in mentally constructing a parallel stance.
Most of us have a good idea of which club to hit from 150 yards and most courses have some kind of 150 yard marker. If you practice using your 150 yard club, then your course strategy on par 4’s and 5’s should be to hit close to the 150 yard marker. I usually will practice from 150 yards and 100 yards. Being comfortable and reasonably sure of hitting 70% of the greens from those two yardages, give me an easy course strategy for par 4’s and 5’s.
Remember focus on alignment and select the club to get to the middle of green. A little mishit should still be on or close to the green.
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