Golf Tips on How to Hit an Accurate Approach Shot
When it comes down to it, hitting accurate approach shots is really where your score is made. Of course it is important to hit good drives and make plenty of putts, but getting the ball close to the hole on your approach shots from the fairways is how you turn bogeys into pars, and pars into birdies. The golfer who consistently hits the ball close to the hole on their approach shots is almost always the one who will walk away as the winner.
To add some accuracy to your approach shots during your next round, try using the tips below –
- Pick an intermediate target. One of the keys to hitting accurate approach shots is being sure that you are aimed in the right direction in the first place. If your club face isn’t aimed properly at address, it will be nearly impossible to hit accurate shots on a consistent basis. To help your aim, try picking an intermediate target at a point between your ball and the hole. It is hard to aim the club face at a target that is more than 100 yards away, so find something that is only a few feet ahead of your ball but on the same line as the target. Then, step up to your ball and aim the club at the intermediate target, knowing that your ultimate target is on the same line.
- Use more club. Swinging hard is a sure way to send your approach shots off line. Try using an extra club on most of your approach shots, then swing just a little bit softer to compensate. This technique will take a little bit of practice to master, but you might be amazed at how frequently you can start the ball on the target line when you try this method. Focus on balance and solid contact, knowing you have plenty of club in hand to reach the target.
- Let the course help you. Pay close attention to the slopes on and around the green before you hit any approach shot, because they can help you get the ball closer to the hole. For example, if the entire green slopes from right to left, consider trying to hit your ball out to the right of the hole and allow the slope to kick the ball down toward the target. This trick gives you more margin for error, and will give you more realistic birdie chances in the long run.