A personal plan to play better golf in 2025
Did trying too hard ever do anyone any harm at something really? Answer: No, not unless they’re playing golf. A...
Video tutorials to get better at golf this winter
Want to get better at golf this winter? golfretreats.com head coach Stuart Reynolds pinpoints another two key areas you can look at inside and out to improve your golf game as the weather closes in…
Winter can be a good time for some golf reflection. Understanding some key principles of the game can give you a new perspective on the way you meet challenges when you get back out on the golf course.
For example: how to deal with bad lies. A plugged lie in a bunker is every golfer’s worst nightmare. Understanding the mechanics of how you deal with that problem will help you get better at golf. Playing a chip from a downhill lie is another classic scenario we all encounter where our basic instincts will be at odds with the correct way to play that shot.
Get better at golf: Dealing with a plugged lie.
The tendency with any bunker shot, but definitely with a plugged lie, is to lean back and ‘flip’ or ‘scoop’ the ball out of the sand. The exact opposite is what you should be doing. Strike the sand several inches behind the golf ball with more force than normal. The need here is to remove more sand than a regular bunker shot with the ball in amongst the explosion! The club choice is less important as its not the loft that now gets the ball out, but the amount of sand you hit!
Get better at golf: Chipping from a downhill lie
How am I going to stop this from rolling off the green? A downhill lie close to the green is another knee-knocking scenario! A downhill lie means that the ball will launch lower as you lose loft for every degree of slope you are on. Lean your body in line with the slope, put the ball back in your stance and commit to the shot. A committed strike will create a softer landing shot but still expect the ball to run out more than normal.
You can find more of these bitesize video tutorials in our Resources section and on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@golfretreats.
As always, if you like our pragmatic, no-nonsense style of teaching, why not investigate one of our retreat packages? Let me know how you get on with your practice via our social channels and/or the contact page.
Good luck and let’s get better at golf together.
Stu – Head coach, golfretreats.com
www.golfretreats.com is NOT a conventional golf trip company. We create high quality, guided coaching experiences to help all player abilities progress their golf game in a fun and enjoyable way.
We’re passionate about what we do and the people we do it for. Our promise to you is that at the end of your stay, you will go home a better golfer.
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