Is there a scarier approach shot in golf than having play over water?
You could be playing a shot from 150 yards away from the green, with fairway in-front of you, before the green comes into play. Approach shots don’t come much easier than this yet if you stick a pond in-between your ball and the green, this shot has suddenly become a big worry.
The water is running up to the edge of the green and the flag is near the front. This is a worst-case scenario for many golfers and even though you work out the distance to the hole is an ideal 7 iron shot for you, the contact is less than ideal and your ball finds the water.
The first thing to consider when playing an approach shot over water which runs to the edge of the green, is just how far realistically you will hit the ball without it bouncing. For example, if you are 150 yards away from the flag and this is the normal distance at which you pick up the 7 iron, think about how far the ball carries during this shot.
Chances are, it carries around 145 yards, with the additional 5 yards being gained while the ball is in contact with the ground. For an approach shot over water or even sand, those 5 yards are crucial and could be the difference between your ball landing in the drink and on the green.
You must factor in bounce and roll when figuring out the distance to the pin. If you are in any doubt, try adding 5 yards to the overall distance of the shot and choose you club accordingly. This should eliminate any chance of the ball ending up short and in the water.
The second tip when playing an approach shot over water, is to step away for a second and think about what this type of shot is doing to your technique.
Many beginner golfers will subconsciously tighten their grip when faced with an intimidating shot like an approach shot over water. This is the last thing you want to at this stage and instead you must try and relax your body, especially the parts of your body which have an important role to play in the shot.
The shoulders, arms and hands should remain relaxed throughout the shot. This will promote a fuller turn, a nice, free swing and a better contact of the ball. The shot you play will travel further and higher when you are more relaxed. The opposite is true when your body becomes tense, so take a second to think about this and relax before playing an approach shot over water.
Finally, and a tip linked to the first one above, do not be afraid to find the centre of the green. While it is nice to get the ball as close to the hole as possible, this is not always the best choice. If the pin is at the front edge of the green, it may be a good time to ignore it and concentrate on getting the ball on the green, rather than in the water.
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