I know a lot of amateurs lower their expectations on approach shots from 200-plus yards. Granted, your odds of hitting a green from out there are never great, but my advice on fairway woods will help. Start with this drill: Practice making controlled swings that allow you to finish in balance like I am here. That's the tempo you want. Treat it like you were swinging an iron to a specific distance. If a shot is too long for a 7-iron, you hit a 6. Same thinking here: Every fairway wood has a distance limit. Don't try to stretch it.J.B. Holmes has four wins on the PGA Tour, including the 2015 Shell Houston Open.
GO LEFT TO RIGHT FOR CONSISTENCY
I like to fade or cut the ball, which I recommend for you because making a swing that curves a shot left to right seems easier to repeat for most golfers. It also will help you hit the ball higher, which comes in handy on long shots over obstacles like bunkers or water.To hit a cut, set up with your feet and shoulders open, or aligned left of your target. Then make a swing where your body rotates significantly toward the target before the club reaches the ball. I can't emphasize this enough: Keep turning all the way to the finish. If your body stops and your arms and club keep swinging, you'll hit it dead left.
SETUP
Ball position is important for solid contact. It should be forward of center in your stance—but not quite up to where you play a driver.
BACKSWING
Swing back until you feel the muscles around your left shoulder stretched. Wherever that is, that's your top of the backswing.
DOWNSWING
Bump your left hip toward the target as you start down. This shallows the club's path and keeps it to the inside. It'll help get the ball up.
IMPACT
The club should still be descending at impact and should stay low to the ground just after. The key here: Keep turning through.J.B. Holmes: Launch Your Fairway Woods ▶
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