Conquer Your Fears: How To Master 4 Of The Scariest Shots In Golf
- Updated: October 31, 2019
Twitter/@GOLF_com
Golf can be a terrifying game especially when you don’t have the slightest clue how to play it. But there are some shots that provide more nightmare fuel than others. Here are 4 of the scariest shots us amateurs face in golf and how to conquer them.
The Dreaded 50-Yard Bunker Shot
We’ve all been in this spot and the first thought usually is “oh crap.” The longish bunker shot has given amateurs fits for centuries due to a combination of lack of skill and confidence … not to mention a lack of practice.
In reality, it’s not that hard of a shot. Grab a wedge you feel comfortable with and address it like you’re playing a 50-yard pitch shot from the fairway. Don’t complicate it by thinking about what you should do with the bounce and definitely don’t convince yourself you’re going to hit it thin.
Dig your feet in a bit for stability and take a nice, smooth 50-yard swing (obviously it helps if you know what this feels like.) In a perfect world, you’ll pick the ball relatively cleanly out of the sand and it will check up a few feet from the hole.
http://gty.im/1150142361The Opening Tee Shot
How many times have you put on a stripe show on the range then went to the first tee and pumped 3 OB, or found the trees, or even worse didn’t get it past the forward tees? It almost feels like you’ve never played golf before.
The truth is you didn’t magically forget how to play the game. It’s your brain that gets in the way. For some reason, good shots tend to happen when you have the right mindset and some level of focus in that moment. But sometimes the first tee can feel like the moment is bigger than you. Maybe there’s a small gallery of people watching. Maybe you only get to play once every few weeks and want to play well so you add some unnecessary expectations and pressure.
The opening tee shot is just another golf shot and it should not dictate how you will play the rest of the round. Your swing will be what it is that day, but the best thing you can do to set yourself up for success is to develop a sound pre-shot routine. That way no matter what uncomfortable situation you are faced with, you have something that’s yours that you can rely on because again, it’s just another golf shot.
Now, if you struggle hitting driver and it’s a narrow fairway and there’s OB or trees all over the place, choose a club that you feel comfortable with to put yourself in the best position for the next shot.
It sounds simple because it is. You aren’t a long drive champion and people aren’t expecting you to split every fairway. In fact, nobody cares how you hit it or what you shoot for that matter! Go through your routine, pick your target and let it go. Easy peasy.
http://gty.im/524609768The “Impossible” Tight Lie Pitch Over A Deep Bunker
Ah, the tight lie pitch over a bunker. Raise your hand if you’ve ever bladed one of these 30 yards over the green or dumped it in the sand. Our hands are proudly raised. You are not alone. This shot is extraordinarily tough for most amateurs mainly due to a lack of understanding and practice multiplied by fear.
Couple of ways to play this. If you have green to work with, you should use it. The most difficult part is imagining there is no bunker in front of you waiting to swallow up your ball. Play a normal pitch and focus only on your target and where your ball will roll out to. Sure it’s easier said than done, but the trick is not letting that bunker get in your head.
Different story if you’re short-sided from a tight lie over the trap. Imagine you are Phil Mickelson for a second. Take your most lofted wedge and open that puppy up. Make sure your stance is equally as wide open because what you are going to do is swing along your foot line.
http://gty.im/1181977196This time you are going to want to use the bounce and all that simply means is getting the club in a position so that the leading edge doesn’t dig into the dirt. You know when the pros take a massive swing and the ball goes 5 yards? This is how to do it.
Cock your wrists early and imagine the sound of a nice big thud as your arms go through the ball without turning over your wrists. You should be able to serve a drink on your clubface through and after impact. Again, much easier said than done but it is possible to play one of those majestic Phil flops if you put in the practice.
The Dubious Downhill 4-Foot Left to Right Sliding Putt
If you are a righty, left to right putts are some of the most difficult to hole. If you play golf like us, every putt is difficult to hole. The main issue besides a lack of sound fundamentals is trust. The ironic thing is all putts are technically straight. All you’re doing to making a free stroke to a specific target.
Read the putt from behind the ball. If you have a second, look at it from the other side too. This will help give you a better understanding of the line and how far you’ll need to play the ball outside the hole. Maybe even pick out the apex of the break and say to yourself, “this is where it’s going to start moving the other way.” Try to visualize that path or track and where you believe the ball will start tracking once it takes the break all the way into the hole.
http://gty.im/1183841003After you got that, go through your putting routine. If you haven’t noticed a pattern already, a sound pre-shot routine is imperative to playing half-decent golf.
Take one more look at the hole and trace your eyes backward on the intended line all the way back to your ball. As soon as you get there, make the stroke and let it go.
The reason being is not to allow your mind to play any more tricks on you than it already does. In this situation you are reacting to the putt like a basketball player would catch the ball and shoot without hesitation.
Bye Bye Fears…
Next time you are on the course and find yourself in one of these scary situations, there’s no need to freak out. Follow these swing thoughts and stick to your routine. You got this. We guarantee it.**
**We don’t actually guarantee it, but you get the idea!
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