Iron Shots, Taking It to the Course Part 5

With all of the hard work behind you, it is time to take your newfound iron
game and head out onto the golf course. It is one thing to be able to hit some pretty looking iron shots on the practice tee, but it is another thing altogether to be able to reproduce them when it counts. Only when you are able to count on your iron shots to perform under pressure will you know that you have truly changed your game.

The big key when it comes to using your iron game on the golf course is picking the right shot for the right situation. One rule that most accomplished golfers live by is that you should never be hurt by a straight shot. What does that mean? Basically, you don’t want to aim your shot in a direction that will lead to a bad result if you hit the ball straight instead of curve it. So, if you are planning to hit a draw, you should try to find a target line that will allow for your draw – but also keep you safe in case the ball flies straight.

When it comes to iron shots, the best way to handle this challenge is to aim your shots for the center of the green and try to curve them out to the edges. Imagine you are facing an iron shot from 150 yards with the hole located on the right side of the green (and you are a right handed golfer). The ideal path would be to aim your shot for the middle of the green, and use your fade to get the ball close to the hole. If the fade comes off perfectly, you should end up right next to the target. But, if the ball flies straight, you will still be safely in the middle of the green. This approach to course management provides you with protection from bad shots while still giving you a chance to make birdies.

The other important note on iron play is knowing when to take your medicine and give the course the respect it deserves. It is possible to hit an iron shot from 200 yards over water to a hole location that is only a couple steps onto the green. Sure – it’s possible. Is it likely to pull this shot off? Probably not. Rather, play it safe and aim away from the water so you can avoid a penalty shot being added to your score. Even if you are highly confident in your new iron game, it is still smart to play it safe when the course presents you with a serious challenge.