Specialty Shots Golf Instructions and Tips  - Low Shot

Sometimes between tee and green, a low shot under some tree branches will be called for.

Sometimes between tee and green, a low shot under some tree branches will be called for. Not to worry. Simply take a lower lofted club than would normally be used from that position, move the ball back in the stance toward the right foot, keep the clubface square to the hole which will further decrease the loft of the club, and take a shorter backswing to hold down the distance the club would normally produce. The low shot, with its abbreviated backswing, is similar to the pitch shot, which was described earlier in this chapter.

When executing the low shot, as well as all the specialty shots, be sure to keep your head down. If you insist on seeing the ball go under the branch, you most assuredly won't! It is difficult not to take a premature peek under these uncertain circumstances. But it is imperative to stay down, gazing at where the ball was, even after it is gone. Otherwise, the shot is doomed to disaster.

Golf Tips. Specialty shots require considerable risk. For example, an intended low shot that is hit a little too high may catch a tree branch and bound into greater trouble than the original situation from which the shot was hit. Or a fade that doesn't produce the intended curve from left to right may fly straight into the woods or a water hazard. Before come to a specialty shot, consider whether the risk is worth the potential benefit. For example, consider whether a successful shot will get the ball onto the green in one stroke. If not, it's going to take two shots to get to the green from the ball's present location. Would it not be safer to play a less grandiose shot out of trouble and then make a standard approach to the green? In either case, the end result is going to be two strokes added to the score. Specialty shots are great when they work and when the payoff is worth the risk. But don't be a foolish hero. Play the percentages, and your lower score will reveal your wisdom.