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"How to Hit the Seven Scariest Shots in Golf"
"How to Hit the Seven Scariest Shots in Golf
Jim Flick, GOLF MAGAZINE TOP 100 TEACHER,and Dr. Dick Coop, golf magazine mental game consultant | Published: Friday, December 01, 2006 | 09:47:00 AM |"
"Fear is everywhere in golf. Whether your bugaboo is the first tee, the pond on No. 6, or those short putts you know you should make, there's not a golfer on earth who doesn't feel your pain. It's tough to pull the trigger when you don't know what's going to happen -- or worse, when you do know, and it isn't pretty."
"First, understand that preparation is the best security blanket. When facing a shot that gives you the willies, you'd better have a technique you trust in your back pocket. And even if you do, you need a method of shooing away those demons that are sure to pop up. It's part physical, part mental, which is why we're both talking to you in the same article."
"Here is our take on golf's seven scariest shots. Some are scary for being just plain hard, like the pitch over a bunker; others are tough due to the setting, such as that daunting first tee shot. We've divided up our advice accordingly -- heavy on swing tips for the tough shots, heavy on the mental for the brainteasers. So read on, and fear not."
1. Approach over water
2. Pitch Over a Deep Bunker
3. Dreaded Half-Wedge 4. First tee shot
5. Long bunker shot
6. Downhill four-footer
7. Next Shot After a Shank
...
Dreaded Half-Wedge
TOP PHOTO
Stand tall to give your arms room to swing.
Flick: Why do amateurs hit the green from this range -- 40 to 60 yards -- only one in three times? Because after swinging full-out, they suddenly have to slow everything down, which is hard to do. The trick is to match your body turn to the slower speed and shorter arc of the club.
Your body and arms need freedom of motion to mesh. At address, bend from the hips and stand a little taller than normal, with a slight knee flex and your weight on the balls of your feet, giving your arms plenty of room to swing (photo). Think of it as a long, flowing pitch rather than a half shot. The key is developing a feel for the appropriate swing length.
Coop: For most golfers, half-wedge territory is rife with bad memories. To combat them, you need some successes in your mental library, and that comes from learning good technique (see Jim's advice) and seeing it work in practice. On the course, since you probably struggle with finding the right swing speed, use my Goldilocks Method. Take practice swings and assess each one: Is it too fast, too slow, or just right? When you make one that's just right, step up to the ball and go.
Read more:
http://www.golf.com/instruction/how-hit-seven-scariest-shots-golf#ixzz2pwZY5LNE"Almost every mid- to high-handicap player (and some low handicap ones) I encounter have trouble with their short pitches"
Score golf, the wedge guy