Every senior golfer needs a go to shot – a swing that can be called upon during pressurized situations.

This swing technique can be used in those clutch moments when a match, medal or post round drinks are on the line! The set up and swing thoughts below will produce a consistent ball flight with every club but is best utilized with a short or mid-iron.

1. At address, the ball should sit bang in the middle of the stance with feet shoulder width apart (if a longer iron is used the ball could be moved slightly forward of centre)

2. The senior golfer should set the club face square to the target and align themselves as normal.

3. About 60% of the body weight should be placed on the front foot with the shaft leaned towards the target.

4. The hands should sit opposite the left thigh to help ensure a downward strike.

5. Swing the club away keeping the body weight 60% balanced on the front foot.

6. The backswing should be three quarters in length. The senior golfer doesn’t want the club shaft reaching parallel to the ground as they would in a normal full swing.

7. Drive down and through the ball again keeping 60% body weight on the front foot and the hands opposite the left thigh.

8. Hold off the follow through. This abbreviated follow through and swing will not hit the ball as far as a normal swing but will shoot it away lower with more control.

This swing will produce a lower ball flight than normal but should help ensure a solid contact with the ball. The technique can also be used to hit out of trouble spots, under trees or out of tricky lies because maintaining 60% body weight on the front foot should ensure a downward strike on the ball. It can also be adapted to hit little draw and fade shots when a golfer requires a little shape on the ball.

Draw:
To hit the low draw, close the stance slightly so the body is aimed slightly right of the target (for right handers), no more than 20 yards. Keep the club face aimed at the target. Complete the swing as prescribed above, the ball flight produced should be a low draw moving from right to left in the air.

Fade:
To hit the low fade, open the stance slightly so the body is aimed slightly left of the target (for right handers), no more than 20 yards. Keep the club face aimed at the target. Complete the swing as prescribed above, the ball flight produced should be a low fade moving from left to right in the air.

By practicing these swings and techniques the golfer can call upon a go-to-shot when the pressure is really on.