Looking for Techniques & Other Options To Explosion Shot

Looking for Techniques & Other Options To Explosion Shot

Even when your ball does come to rest in one of the positions, you don’t want to automatically decide to use an explosion shot before considering other alternatives. You always have options in golf, and weighing those options is one of your most important jobs as a player. In this section, we are going to highlight a few shots which can be considered as alternatives to the explosion technique that we’ve been discussing to this point.

  • A low punch. This should be your preferred option, when possible. With this type of shot, you are going to punch the ball low to the ground and allow it to roll out most of the distance to the target. Of course, the trick here is making sure you have enough room for the ball to bounce and roll without going too far. When you do have enough space, this is an easier and more predictable shot than the explosion. To play this shot effectively, setup with the ball in the back of your stance and hit down aggressively. Unlike when playing an explosion, you will be trying to make direct contact with the ball when using a low punch. Strike the ball cleanly, accelerate through impact, and watch the shot bounce and roll up toward the cup.
  • A regular chip shot. If the lie isn’t too bad, you might be able to get away with using your standard chipping technique. For example, if your ball is in the deep rough but you have an open patch behind the ball, you should be able to slide the club head through the grass without much trouble. The benefit of going with a typical chip shot is familiarity. This is a shot you already use frequently during each round, so opting for it when you are in a tricky spot is certainly a good idea. However, you need to remember that your chip shot technique is unlikely to create as much spin as usual when playing from a bad lie. So, even if you normally stop your chip shots quickly, you’ll want to allow for more run-out room in this situation.
  • Take an unplayable lie. When you really find yourself in a nasty spot, you may wish to declare an unplayable lie and take the penalty stroke that comes with it. You are allowed under the rules of golf to declare an unplayable lie at any time, as long as you are willing to take the penalty. Before you decide to go this route, make sure you don’t have a reasonable play from the lie you have found. Also, be sure to check out the areas where you will be able to drop, as they might not be much better than the current position of your ball.

    • Golf is all about options. If you want to shoot low scores, you need to make sure to have as many options as possible available to you in any given situation. During practice sessions, think about expanding your repertoire to make sure you don’t run out of options during a round. With a number of different types of shots in your bag, including the explosion shot, you should be ready for just about anything that comes your way on the links.