| There is no doubt that the approach shot to the | | | | optimum way is to hit the ball 1/3 of the way to |
| green is one of the most important shots in your | | | | the hole, and let it roll the other 2/3 of the way |
| golf game. Hit it high and tight to the pin and | | | | to the pin. Obviously, the chip shot is used when |
| you're set up for an excellent birdie opportunity. | | | | you have a lot of green in front of you to work |
| Hit thin or fat and you're set up for a bogey | | | | with.Use a less lofted club like a 7, 8 or 9 iron to |
| opportunity or even worse. This is why you need | | | | hit this shot. Put the ball back in your stance and |
| to spend time on the practice range hitting | | | | keep your weight on the left side. If you don't |
| approach shots.I see many higher handicap golfers | | | | you can easily hit the ball too hard and fly it past |
| struggle with their approach shots into the green. | | | | the green. You only want a half swing for this |
| It's understandable as this shot can be a little | | | | shot, and finish with a half follow through. Again, |
| tricky, but you it certainly doesn't have to get the | | | | let the club do the work and don't try and steer it |
| best of you. Here is a golf teaching aid designed | | | | toward the target.The Flop ShotI'll tell you up |
| to help you improve your approach shots and | | | | front; this is a difficult shot to perfect. You see |
| begin hitting more greens in regulation. Let's get | | | | Phil Mickelson hit this shot and make it look easy, |
| started.You have three basic approach shots | | | | but he practices for hours every week on it. |
| during your round of golf. The chip shot, pitch | | | | When you have to fly the golf ball over a sand |
| shot and the flop shot. Of course there are | | | | trap, or a small tree, etc., the flop shot can be |
| variations to these, but we will stick to these | | | | ideal. You'll want to use the most lofted club you |
| three.The Pitch ShotThis is the most common of | | | | have, a 60 degree wedge if possible. This shot |
| the golf approach shots. Any time you're 50-110 | | | | requires you to get the ball up as high as possible |
| yards away from the green you'll hit a pitch shot | | | | and have it drop down and stick where it lands. |
| with your pitching wedge or sand wedge.You will | | | | You must have a wide-open stance and hit under |
| want to open your stance a little more than with | | | | the ball. This shot will take a lot of practice, so |
| your other golf shots. Be sure to line up with the | | | | don't be frustrated when it doesn't happen |
| ball in line with your back foot. You want to take | | | | overnight. But, once you get it down it will come |
| a full swing when hitting a pitch shot. Avoid trying | | | | in handy on the golf course.By spending some |
| to get fancy and hit a half, or three-quarters shot. | | | | time on the golf driving range with these three |
| Time and time again you will hit the fall thin or fat. | | | | different shots, you will improve your short game |
| To reduce the distance the golf ball travels, choke | | | | dramatically. You will soon be hitting more greens |
| down on the club a little. Practice on the range | | | | in regulation and lowering your golf score.Terry |
| with distances. Let the golf club do the work, | | | | Edwards writes golf instruction articles designed to |
| don't try and steer the ball.The Chip ShotNext is | | | | help all golfers lower their scores and have more |
| the chip shot. With this shot you're not looking to | | | | fun out on the course. You can learn more on |
| hit it a great distance. The idea behind hitting a | | | | how to Lower Your Golf Scores and play better |
| chip shot is to hit it a short distance, and let the | | | | golf by visiting his website. |
| golf ball roll on the green to the hole. The | | | | |