We’ve already covered How Do I Properly Tee Up the Ball?, but now it’s time to take your golf game to the next level. To truly understand golf, you need to know about the different types of shots you’ll be hitting on the course. In this post, we’ll break down some of the most common shots you’ll use and why you’d want to play them.
If you’ve ever wondered why certain shots seem to fly off in different directions or how pro golfers seem to control the ball like it’s on a string, it’s because they master these types of shots. Once you grasp the basics, you’ll have a lot more fun on the course, and you’ll be able to navigate tricky situations like a pro.
What Is a Draw?
A draw is a shot that curves gently from right to left (for a right-handed golfer). It’s a controlled shot with a natural curve that helps you gain more distance and accuracy.
When Should You Hit a Draw?
- Maximizing distance: A draw typically generates more roll than a fade, which can add extra yards to your drive.
- Navigating doglegs: If you’re on a hole with a dogleg left, hitting a draw will help you follow the curve of the fairway and avoid obstacles.
- Wind conditions: On windy days, a draw helps keep the ball low, making it more manageable in windy conditions.
How to Hit a Draw
- Grip: Close your grip slightly by turning your hands more to the right (for right-handed golfers) on the club.
- Setup: Aim to the right of your target, and swing along your body’s alignment, keeping the clubface slightly closed at impact.
- Swing path: Focus on a more inside-to-out swing path. This is key for generating the ball’s right-to-left spin.
What Is a Fade?
A fade is the opposite of a draw. It’s a shot that curves from left to right (for a right-handed golfer). While it’s not as natural as a draw for many golfers, it’s often a more controllable shot and can help you avoid trouble like trees or water hazards.
When Should You Hit a Fade?
- Accuracy over distance: A fade is often easier to control, especially for beginners.
- Navigating doglegs: If you’re facing a dogleg right, a fade helps you steer the ball around the corner.
- Wind conditions: A fade is great for controlling the ball’s trajectory in a headwind, as it tends to stay in the air longer.
How to Hit a Fade
- Grip: Open your grip slightly by rotating your hands to the left (for right-handed golfers).
- Setup: Aim to the left of your target, and align your body to the left as well.
- Swing path: Focus on an outside-to-in swing path, which helps the ball spin from left to right.
What Is a Punch Shot?
A punch shot is a low, controlled shot often used to keep the ball under the wind or avoid hitting trees. It’s typically used in situations where you want to reduce the height and distance of the shot for more accuracy.
When Should You Hit a Punch Shot?
- Strong wind conditions: Use a punch to keep your ball low in strong winds and prevent it from being affected too much.
- Avoiding obstacles: If you’re under a tree or near an obstruction, a punch shot helps you avoid hitting it and getting the ball to your target.
- Tight fairways: Punch shots help you keep the ball on a straight line, especially when the fairway is narrow.
How to Hit a Punch Shot
- Setup: Use a shorter backswing and make sure the ball is positioned slightly further back in your stance.
- Grip: You’ll want a firmer grip and a slightly stronger stance to ensure you don’t get too much height on the shot.
- Swing path: Focus on a short, controlled swing with a slightly closed clubface. The goal is to keep the ball low and under control.
What Is a Flop Shot?
A flop shot is one of the most dramatic shots in golf, where the ball is hit high in the air with a lot of loft. This shot is perfect when you need to get the ball over an obstacle, like a bunker or a tree, and land it softly on the green.
When Should You Hit a Flop Shot?
- Over an obstacle: If you need to get the ball up and over something, like a sand trap, the flop shot is perfect for this.
- Short game: When you’re very close to the green and need to stop the ball quickly, the flop shot can help you do that.
How to Hit a Flop Shot
- Club selection: Choose a lob wedge or sand wedge, depending on how high you need to hit the shot.
- Setup: Open the clubface to create loft and set your body weight slightly forward.
- Swing path: Make sure to swing with a wide arc and focus on using the loft of the club to scoop the ball into the air. Be careful not to hit the ground too hard, or you could dig into the turf.
What Is a Slice?
A slice is the opposite of a draw. It’s a shot that curves dramatically from left to right (for right-handed golfers). While a slice is often an unintended miss, it can still be useful when you want to avoid hitting a left-side hazard or obstacle.
When Should You Hit a Slice?
- Navigating doglegs: If the hole has a dogleg right, you might intentionally hit a slice to follow the curve of the hole.
- Avoiding hazards: A slice can be used when you want to steer the ball away from a water hazard or out of bounds.
How to Hit a Slice
- Grip: Open your grip and clubface.
- Setup: Align your body to the left of your target, and set up with an open stance.
- Swing path: Swing along an outside-to-in path to produce the left-to-right curve.
How to Control Distance on Your Shots
Now that we’ve covered different types of shots, let’s talk about distance control. Being able to control your distance is just as important as being able to hit the ball accurately. It’s about hitting the right club for the right situation.
Use Your Short Game
- Chipping: A gentle chip with a sand wedge or pitching wedge can help you control distance around the greens.
- Pitching: A pitch shot with a lob wedge allows you to control both height and distance for better results around the green.
Practice Makes Perfect
The key to mastering distance control is practice. Try using different clubs for different distances and focus on the feel of the shot rather than the power. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at controlling your distances.
Conclusion
Mastering these different types of golf shots can elevate your game and help you become more versatile on the course. Whether you’re working on hitting a controlled draw, managing a punch shot under the wind, or pulling off a dramatic flop shot, knowing how and when to play these shots is crucial for shooting lower scores. If you feel confident with your shots, it’s time to prepare for our next lesson: adjusting your shot for different slopes. Keep practicing, and next time, we’ll dive into how you can handle sloped lies like a pro!
