7 round-defining shots… and how to conquer them

How to pull off the common risk and reward shots you find on the course

- Alex Elliott

1 Intimidating tee shot

There are three things I want you to think about in a situation like this. Firstly, tee height. I tend to use three different tee heights with driver: a lower one for a lower shot that’s good in the wind, mid-height for my stock fairway finder and a little higher for my ‘bombs away’ tee shot. You want to have roughly half the ball above the top of the driver at address and the ball level with your lead heel.

Secondly, having the ball forward in the stance can throw off your shoulder alignment, so make sure they’re pointing parallel to your target line and your lead shoulder is a touch higher than your trail shoulder at address. Thirdly, when you need that extra distance, you’ve got to stay balanced and maintain your timing, but just feel like you give it that little bit more without losing your technique.

2 Long-iron approach over water

A long shot over water, like the approach to the 18th at The Belfry, is one of the scariest shots in golf. But if you’re able to hit a solid long-iron shot, there’s no reason you can’t go for the green with confidence – and it’s easier to do than you probably think.

A lot of amateurs struggle with long-irons because you don’t see a lot of loft when you look down on it. You have to trust the club to launch the ball into the air if you make a good swing, because it will.

Feel the release

You want to feel like your right arm stays long and releases to the target, so make some practice motions doing that without the club to ingrain the feeling. This will help you hit it solidly and reduce the fade or slice a lot of players have with the less lofted clubs.

3 Driveable par 4 with danger