How many golfers have played tennis … another terrific game? If you have, you will be familiar with the term ‘No Man’s Land’? This is the portion of the court not up front at the net (see ‘Cut Off’) or back on the base line. (see ‘Time To Position’) You get stuck too far from each front and back zones. This position error gives your opponent the ability to ‘Pass You’. In good tennis one makes the current shot setting up the next shot. Golf is precisely best managed in this manner.
This past week I watched videos on ‘How To Make 40, 50 and 60 Yard Shots To The Green and Target Hole’. Firstly, let me remind you that these are ‘No Man’s Land Shots’! Poor planning at best! The owner of these shots likely did no ‘Planning … what your ‘555 Team’ refers to as ‘Doing The Math’ and ‘The Pitching Wedge Rule’! Leaving your golf ball at these yardages is definitely not optimal! (see ‘In Between Clubs’)
Every instructor dealt with these in relatively the same sequential manner … first choice of ‘Tool’ was the ‘60 degree Lob Wedge’ … one of the most demanding shots in the game! It requires quite a lot of ‘Clubhead Speed’ and a precision strike mechanics. If you mishit this procedure, especially Fat or Thin, you shall be punished!
Additionally, each of the instructors set-Up and played the shot what we refer to as ‘Open Open’. This means with an ‘Open Clubface Aim’ as well as an ‘Open Alignment’ in order to accomplish the desired ‘Initial Ball Flight’. Tricky to say the least. This technique is a ‘Cut Cut Procedure’. Again, mishit and you are punished.
Your first dose of preventative medicine is to ‘Do Your Math’ as mentioned above! If you cannot find the green with a long ‘Approach Shot’, bite the bullet a little and ‘Lay-Up’ to your trusted ‘Average Pitching Wedge Distance’. This is commonly about 80 to 100 yards. Now you have no ‘Open Open or Cut Cut’ finesse shot to make. The odds are improved!
Your ‘555 Team’ has an experience-based rule. Goes like this … “If you are close in around the green, especially ‘The Fringe’, ‘Loft Is Not Your Friend! A square Clubface is!” How many ‘Flop Shots’ can you expect to ‘Get Lucky With’?