Strategies for Mastering Each Club in Your Golf Set
Top off your golf game by nailing every club in your bag! Let's pick the brain of PGA Master Professional Keith Williams, a former European Tour player and international coach, and see how it's done.
Mastering Every Club
Keith's got the goods: he's coached tour winners, led international teams, and helmed the England Golf coaching crew, all while working with Ian Woosnam's academy and the Czech Golf Federation. Here's a rundown of his expert advice for hitting each club like a pro.
Driver
Get your stance slightly wider than with an iron. Place the ball inside your left heel with your weight slightly on the rear foot to promote an upward attack angle. Your arms should hang 'free' from the body, and your spine should tilt slightly. From this position, make a smooth, wide takeaway that encourages a full turn, leading to the right driver impact position.
Fairway Woods
Many amateur golfers are timid when it comes to fairway woods. By making a few easy set-up adjustments, you can get this club back in play. Have the ball just inside your left heel, your spine vertical, and your weight slightly on the front foot for a descending blow. Stay centered over the ball to trap it, and avoid trying to loft the ball prematurely or hanging back, a common mistake.
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Hybrids & Long Irons
For hybrids, aim to position the ball two to three inches inside the left heel. Golfers often sweep the ball away, but for a solid strike, you should 'trap' it with a descending blow. With traditional long irons, place the ball just inside your left armpit, avoiding over-reaching for height. Trust the clubs to do the work.
Mid Irons
Centering the ball one ball forward of center on mid-irons is crucial. Keep your weight evenly distributed. Focus on a downward strike by aiming at the front of the ball or slightly ahead. Rotate away, keeping a steady, centered head. To combat jumpiness, be confident in your swing.
Wedges
Full wedge shots require a slightly narrower stance with feet just inside the shoulders. Keep your head centered over the ball, eliminating lateral movement. For greenside shots, stand a little closer to the ball with a more upright stance, allowing for a more direct swing path. Keep your hand action to a minimum.
Putter
Ball position is personal, but slightly inside the left heel generally does the trick. With your feet shoulder-width apart, aim for slight contact between your upper arms and ribcage. Centre your head to help align it square to the target. Practice a consistent length of stroke, using your toes as a guideline.
Applying Keith Williams' golf tips, amateurs can enhance their performance with fairway woods by positioning the ball just inside their left heel, having a spine that's vertical, and making a descending blow with weight slightly on the front foot. Meanwhile, for hybrid and long iron shots, the ball should be placed two to three inches inside the left heel for a descending blow, while mid-irons require centering the ball one ball forward of center for a downward strike.
