How to hit a 3-wood off the deck
Whether it's a par 5 you want to attack, or you missed your drive and need to make up for lost yardage, there are many opportunities to hit a 3-wood off a fairway lie. The problem is, this shot can be unnerving if you're used to using your 3-wood mostly from the tee. When the ball is on the ground, there's not much margin for error. Let me show you the adjustments you need to make to roast this shot. —Michael Kolar, one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America
- Play the ball several inches back from your front heel
- Don't let the ball position get to the center of your stance
- Put 60 percent of your weight on your front foot
- Lean the shaft toward the target at address
- Swing back by turning your torso
- Hinge your wrists to move the club upward
- Coming down, make your hands beat the clubhead to the ball
- Feel the clubhead lagging behind your body and arms
- Resist the urge to lift the ball off the turf
- Keep your body and the clubhead down through impact
- Try to take a thin, shallow divot after the strike
- Swing to a crisp, abbreviated follow-through
- Feel as if you're hitting a low punch shot
- Focus on solid contact instead of a big, armsy finish