How to tackle the 5 hardest shots in golf

While some might argue every shot is a tough one, these 5 are the shots that cause golfers the most trouble…

Graeme McDowell takes a practice drive

We’ve all got our own personal nightmare shot. Some fear the first drive of the day, superstitious that it’ll be a sign of things to come. Others struggle with any form of water feature. But whatever your fear, there’s one thing they all have in common – they’ll turn up when you least want them. Usually after you’ve made a bet with someone or are trying to impress a fellow golfer.

To help tackle these tough shots, we’ve produced a guide to some of the more common difficulties and how to handle them.

First drive of the day

It’s a new day, a new start. All the problems you suffered on your last round have been forgotten. Today will be different. Today, you’ll finally play the perfect round – and it all starts here. Mess this shot up and you can forget about beating your personal best. Mess this one up and your mood for the day will become much more pessimistic.

How to play it

Have a few goes on the driving range before you get out on the course to get rid of any rustiness in your swing. Or, simply choose to ignore it – agree with your partner that the first hole is a freebie or that you’ll play it twice in a row. Anything to take the focus off that first shot. When you do play it, don’t go for broke. Just try and hit the fairway.

Shane Lowry gets stuck in the rough

Your third attempt in the rough
Your ball has landed just behind a tuft of grass or partly under a raised tree root. You decide not to take a drop ball, thinking you can play it out and make progress. But the ball refuses to move, or simply jumps a foot forward. You’ve committed now, so try again with the same result. On the third attempt it’s now or never. Two shots over and you can still save the round; after three your score starts to look pretty bad.

How to play it

Firstly, you’ve got to know your abilities – know when you can actually play a shot and when to cut your losses and take a drop ball. This would stop you from getting into this situation in the first place. If you do find yourself on your third attempt, go for an easier shot – a simple chip onto the fairway will do.

To putt or chip from the fringe

It’s times like these when you wish you had one of those wise old caddies you see in the films. The type that knows every curve of every course. But the chances are it’ll just be you. You’ve got to make the decision – do you chip from the fringe of the green for an easier follow-up putt, or do you attempt a long, off-green putt?

How to play it

The expert advice is to always putt when you can. You have a little more control and are less likely to over-shoot the green. But if you find yourself in this position, make sure you’ve weighed up all options. Take your time – walk the green checking for patches of longer grass, which way it drops, anything that might take a putt off course.

Even pros like Miguel Angel Jimenez hate water hazards

Going over water

Few things put more fear into golfers than playing a shot over water. Not only will a mistake leave you down a shot, but also down a ball. This is not a bunker where you can play from – once you’re in the water that’s it. And every shot after will seem to be drawn to water like a magnet.

How to play it

Try and pretend it’s not there – and aim long. Don’t aim for just over, aim for a good 20 metres over. If you think you can’t make it, don’t do it. And relax your swing – if you tense up you’re more likely to miss-hit and end up in the deep blue.

The downhill short putt

You’ve managed to get the ball over the water, out of the rough and finally on to the green. There’s only 4 feet to go. You’re so close that you’re kind of hoping your opposition will call a ‘gimme’ and let you walk away without taking the shot. But they haven’t – maybe because they know that while it looks easy, this green has quite the gradient to it, and a misplaced putt could see you go from 4 feet to 14 feet in the blink of an eye.

How to play it

It’s during times like these that it’s important to point out that confidence doesn’t necessarily mean strength. Confidence in golf is a clean, smooth swing, without tension or jittery movements. You’ll probably putt from this distance 9 out of 10 times – this is no different. You’ll be tempted to under-hit it so you don’t risk sending it downhill. Our advice – go for it.