Risk and Reward

Jeff Fisher
Director of Instruction
Fisher Bryan Golf Academy at Longbow Golf Club
Mesa, AZ
jfisher@obsports.com

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Typically my advice for most recreational golfers is to play the percentages and forego trying what you see the Tour players do. But, every once in a while you just have to take a risk! So, I am going to help you with two shots that will quench your thirst for walking on the wild side!

The first is for when you are standing on that reachable par 5 with the wind at your back and you just know that by ripping a big drive you might have a chance at getting there in two. First, when you tee the ball up, tee it just slightly higher. Then after taking your normal stance, move your rear foot just a bit wider. This will help create slightly more spine tilt away from the target. Together these two things will help create a higher launch angle on your shot.

Now after making a full shoulder turn, hold your back to the target just a bit longer as you let your arms fall down into the transition and let all your speed gather and release. When all of your stored up power releases on the ball it will fly higher and farther than your normal shot!

The second is the shot that all of you want to play around the greens, but never quite have the guts or technique to pull off, the flop!

First make sure the lie is good enough for the shot. It helps if there is grass under the ball and not a super tight lie. Once you have that, put the ball forward in your stance like you would a driver and then open your stance to the left (for a right handed golfer). Open the face of your club as much as you dare and then take your grip. With your spine tilted away from the target, put the handle of the club in the center of your body right in front of your belt buckle. This will place your hands behind the ball and add even more loft to your clubface.

Now, get a good hinge of your wrists in the backswing and make sure you swing to a full release and finish. If you swing the club with hesitation this shot will not work. But, with practice you can learn to grip it and rip it even from the side of the green!

Most often the shot you feel like you can pull off the majority of the time is the one to play, but every once in a while you just have to let it fly!

Jeff Fisher is the Director of Instruction at the OB Sports Golf Academy at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona. Jeff can be reached at 480.414.9330 or jfisher@obsports.com.