While we may not really know the inner workings of a tour player’s game, there are a few basic shots and tricks that experienced players – even advanced novices – know and follow. Recently, Cameron McCormick, GOLF Top 100 instructor and visiting instructor for players like Jordan Spieth, shared the three key shots he relies on in tournaments to navigate difficult playing situations.
While professionals use these key images, they’re also easy enough to incorporate into your game – and they might just be what you’ve been missing.
Read on to learn what the three survival shots are and how you can start using them during your cycles.
Low, fairway finder drive
While it’s fun to hit a long bomb, accuracy off the tee is often rewarded more than length – but you still don’t want to give up the advantage of hitting driver off the tee.
That’s why it’s important to have a stock drive that you know can always find the short grass. McCormick explains that pros create more control by dialing back their swing and making simple setup adjustments.
“Pros will slow down a little bit, they’ll lower the height off the tee, which will help them create a lower launch path, keep the ball out of the air,” McCormick said.
To reverse your swing, focus on control rather than slow swings. A useful exercise is to practice at 80-90% effort and gradually increase your speed. As soon as your control or consistency starts to decrease, you have reached your limit. From there, drop back to the highest level of effort when you can still produce consistent results.
For tee lengths, experiment to find what works best for your swing. In the clip above, McCormick swings the ball so that the top of the ball is level with the top edge of the driver’s face. Use that as a starting point, then test slightly higher and lower tee locations to determine which setup helps you make consistent connections.
Flying wedge shots
Like many beginner golfers, you may find that your wedge shot inside 100 yards is always falling short. While there are many reasons why this happens, McCormick says a common mistake beginners make is trying to hit the ball too high on these key shots.
“In trying to hit it high, I presented an opportunity to not play my ball speed well so I left it short,” he said.
Rather than raising their wedges high in the air, travel experts prefer a low, flying approach.
“Professionals will always choose to lower their wedges because it gives them better control of their range of motion,” McCormick said.
To hit those sharp, flying shots, use two keys from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Parker McLachlin, better known as the Short Game Chef. First, set your weight forward. Then, play the ball slightly forward in the center. This setup encourages a downward angle of attack without going too high, helping you produce the low, flying shots that pros know so well.
Avoid misses on the downside
When faced with a long and swinging putt, McCormick explains that tour pros always defend low misses. They play as big a break as possible, so that it gets as close to the hole as it goes along the hill.
“It almost guarantees that the next one is a certified faucet,” McCormick said.
Not only does this improve your chances of making the putt, but as McCormick explains, it also requires less speed. Instead of choosing a line that requires a powerful stroke and causes the ball to leave the hole, you choose a path that allows the putt to track closer to the top of the cup as it loses speed.
