If you always try to fly the ball to the pin, and almost always fly it too far, or you think the only time the ball should roll on the ground is when you putt.

Why it happens:

You're short of the green with the pin in front, you don't have a lot of room to work with, and your lie makes this a difficult shot to spin.

You can:

Forget trying to make a complicated half-wedge shot to a manhole-sized landing area. Instead, play a bump-and-run and roll the ball up there. It's an easy shot — really. Just follow these instructions.

ASSESS YOUR ROUTE
Read the ground just like you would for a putt, noting the firmness and any slope. This shot will spend more time on the ground than in the air.

SET A TRAP
Feel like you're trapping the ball between the club and the ground. To guarantee a low ball flight, abbreviate your finish with the club close to the ground.

GET SET
Choke down a little on the club and play the ball right of center. Lean a little toward the target and press the shaft slightly forward to ensure solid contact.

PICK YOUR CLUB
Make a note of the distance to the hole, and plan to fly the ball one-third of the way there. The more you need to fly the ball, the more club loft you should use.

 

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