How to Control your Distance on Approach Shots
We all know roughly how far we hit our 7 iron or pitching wedge with a full shot.
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It is therefore interesting to hear when we have 35 yards to go it's 'half a wedge' and if its 50 yards to go it's 'a bit more than half a wedge'
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How annoying is it that when you hit a great pitch shot into the green only to find it as gone off the back off the green? The difference in the 15 yards is around 45 feet? Not an easy 2 putt.
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Looking at obvious things can reduce poor strikes and also poorly judged distances. You cannot gauge miles per hour with feel but you can judge the length of your swing.
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Looking at the diagram opposite:
Make 5 swings making your arms travel at your own pace from 5 o clock to 7 o clock - how far did the ball travel. Repeat this 8 to 4, then 9 to 3 and 10 to 2.
Change clubs and repeat.
Write these distances down and what have you noticed?
As the swings were greater the ball travelled further without trying to hit the ball harder.
If you fill this grid out you will have new distances for shorter shots.
Some of the shots will be similar distances but will travel on a different flight, therefore giving you more options on the course.
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TRY WITH YOUR ARMS TO HIT THE CLOCK FACE POSITIONS AND FILL THE GRID
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KEEP YOUR PACE CONSTANT
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HOLD AND CHECK THE FINISH POSITION IS WHERE YOU ENVISAGED