A recent article in Golf Digest got me thinking about which golf club is my "go-to" club around the greens; I came up with my true-blue, Vokey Spin-Milled sand wedge. I know that it isn't the best club for what I am trying to achieve, but I keep using it in spite of its...sometimes...lackluster performance.
How many golfers reading this article are so comfortable with one club that they forget there are fourteen golf clubs in the bag!
After viewing an enlightening Mel Sole video on 3 Important Keys to Chipping (see below), I started to practice around the green with other clubs in my bag and found that my favorite club is the one that can best do its intended job.
I am now practicing with my pitching wedge, 8-iron, and even the 3-wood and am noticing a difference in the way the golf ball gets to the green and rolls out to the hole.
Here is the way to plan out your next shot around the green and select the best club for the job.
1. Start by assessing the situation. According to Golf Digest's Chief Digital Instructor, Michael Breed, "Ask yourself a few basic questions: How far do I want the ball to fly? How far do I want the ball to run out? How fast is the green?"
2. The idea is to fly the ball over trouble and to roll like a putt as soon as possible. If you have a lot of trouble between you and the hole and the hole is close, you might opt for an open-faced, higher-lofted club.
3. Yes, the lob wedge is your friend! According to GolfTec, if you are in deeper rough and a bunker stands between you and the pin, or there is little green to work with, try a higher lofted club.
4. If you have a lot of green to work with, you might try a bump-and-run with a lower lofted club.
Ask your instructor to show you all of the different clubs or try utilizing your clubs around the green and you will see there is more than one way to get to par.
How do you use your golf clubs around the green? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.
