G.I.R
IT’S pretty rare to see anyone hit every green in regulation. But it’s a useful attitude to bring to the first tee. Bagging a ton of GIRs has as much to do with how you’re thinking, as how you’re swinging.
Most greens today are big. Play the correct tees, and it’s possible to hit every one with less-than-perfect approaches.
The key is mental discipline. At the end of a round, you should be able to say you had an exact yardage to the centre of the fat portion of each green. Even if your distance control isn’t that precise, the odds are in your favour when you make this extra effort.
Fire at flags only when the time is right. Be smarter and see the benefits.
LONG IRON SHOT
BLAST IT HIGH
It pays to be able to hit a long iron high. You can hold greens that are guarded in front, as well as take advantage of downwind breezes.
STRATEGY
1. If the hole is near the back of a green, don’t take an extra club. Better to face a long lag putt from the front than an impossible up-and-down.
2. Wind acts differently above the trees. Get a course map and know the day’s prevailing wind direction so you won’t get fooled.
SHORT IRON SHOT STRATEGY
1. On shots to elevated greens the ball releases more; on shots to greens below you the ball tends to spin back.
2. Between yardages? Choke down on the longer iron and make a controlled swing.
FAIRWAY BUNKER SHOT
DIG IN JUST RIGHT
STRATEGY
1. It makes no sense to risk hitting the lip on a par 5 when you can’t reach the green. Just wedge out to a yardage you like.
2. Don’t hit into fairway bunkers! Use your 3-wood or hybrid off the tee to stay short.
Rickie Fowler is hitting 68 percent of greens in regulation on the PGA Tour. What is your %?
