The best shot you will ever hit out of the trees is the one that never has to be played to begin with. Keep your ball in the fairway as much as possible and leave the woods as someone else’s problem.

Of course, perfection is not an option in golf, so having to play from the trees on occasion is inevitable. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do your best to limit those occasions. The techniques below may help you steer clear of the woods during your next round.

• Use less club off the tee. This is a point that gives the average golfer endless trouble. The typical amateur cannot seem to put the driver down, even when the tee shot at hand does not require significant distance. Sure, it is fun to hit the driver, but it is also fun to keep your ball in the fairway. Unless you need the distance that is provided by your driver, consider using a three wood or hybrid club to play for control rather than power.
• Give trees proper respect. One problem that may lead you into the trees is simply a lack of respect. Instead of thinking of the trees as a hazard, you may think that you can get out easy enough if you happen to go in. This is the wrong mental approach. On the tee, think about the trees as just another kind of hazard, no different than a water hazard or even out of bounds stakes. You are very likely to lose at least a stroke or two when you go into the woods, so don’t underestimate the importance of staying away.
• Curve away. If you have the ability to curve the ball in both directions of the tee, get in the habit of curving the ball away from the trees whenever possible. This is not a fool-proof method, of course, but it will improve your chances of staying out of the woods. It should go without saying that you should use this strategy only when you can do so without putting your ball in any danger on the other side of the fairway.

Recovery shots can be fun, especially when they come out of the trees perfectly and manage to land on the green. Those occasions are the exception, however, and most of the time you’ll end up losing a stroke or two along the way. We hope the tips offered in this article will help you get out of the trees cleanly, and with limited damage. Remember, keep your patience and think through as many options as possible before deciding on the best way to proceed. Good luck!