Not all shots from 150 yards are alike. Here's how to adjust
1.) FROM THE ROUGH
SWING STEEP INTO THE BALLYour first goal from thick grass is to get the ball out. But if your lie is decent, why not have a go at the green? Open the clubface, aim left and play a fade. Start the club back steeply—feel like it's going back to the outside. This will help you swing down at a steeper angle and catch the ball first. Keep your left wrist firm through impact, and imagine the heel of the club leading the toe. You won't fly it there, which is good, because the ball will have some run on it.
2.) OFF A BARE LIE
SWING STEEP INTO THE BALLYour first goal from thick grass is to get the ball out. But if your lie is decent, why not have a go at the green? Open the clubface, aim left and play a fade. Start the club back steeply—feel like it's going back to the outside. This will help you swing down at a steeper angle and catch the ball first. Keep your left wrist firm through impact, and imagine the heel of the club leading the toe. You won't fly it there, which is good, because the ball will have some run on it.
3.) ON A DOWNSLOPE
KEEP THE CLUB GOING DOWNIf your ball comes to rest on a downslope, take one less club because the hill delofts the clubface. Center the ball in your stance, and set your shoulders parallel to the slope—get your front shoulder down. From there, focus on swinging with the hill. The ball will tend to go right, so aim a little left, and feel like the clubhead continues down the hill after impact.
4.) OUT OF FAIRWAY SAND
STAY QUIET WITH THE LOWER BODYMost amateurs hate fairway bunkers because they never catch the ball solidly. They're not making the right adjustments. First, get in a taller posture, with your spine more upright, to promote a more rounded (less up and down) swing. Second, keep your legs quiet and try to pick the ball off the sand. If you drive your legs forward, like on a normal shot, you'll risk hitting it fat. So stay more centered as your arms swing past your body.
