Golf Shots to Lower Your Score

Your drive may set your mental attitude for the hole but your short game will determine your score.  Many golfers set aside hours for their drive and minutes for their short game.  However, it is one’s short game which needs to be perfected in order to score low.  Distance is necessary to get you where you want to be on the hole but there is no way to get your golf ball in the hole without an excellent short game.  Therefore, there are stroke saving shots which will help your short game tremendously and will help you to score lower on your score sheet.

Such shots that are included in this category of stroke saving shots include the fringe shot, the greenside divot, the running chip shot, the lob shot, the buried lie, the short putt, the long putt, the greenside bunker shot, the long bunker shot and the backward shot.  If you can include all of these shots into your short game then you will be ready to play any course including the excellent and challenging Myrtle Beach golf courses.

Here is a description of each one of these shots so that you have an idea of which ones you should start working on today:

The Fringe Shot – This shot is used when the golf ball lies on the border between the green and the rough.  Normally, the golf ball is rather close to the hole so trying to chip the call may prove to be disastrous.  In this shot, you should use a 4 wood, 5 wood or a 7 wood and use one of these particular clubs like a putter.  Just put the ball as if you were putting even though you are not actually on the green.

The Greenside Divot – This shot is very useful when your ball lands in a divot.  By using an 8 iron, you will be able to chip your ball out from the devoted area and into a more desirable location.

The Running Chip Shot – This is a great shot when you need some distance but do not want your ball to be flying and bouncing around.  With this type of chip, the ball will literally run on the golf course towards the pin.  The recommended golf clubs for this shot are the 8 and 9 irons.

The Lob Shot – If you need some height then the lob shot is perfect.  By opening the face of the club as much as you can, you will be able to let the ball soar without launching it far from its target.

The Buried Lie – Unfortunately, there are patches of the rough which seem impossible for you to get your ball out of.  With this shot, you will be able to soar free from the worst lies on the rough.

The Short Putt – A short putt is considered to be any putt on the green where the golf ball is 6 feet or less from the hole.

The Long Putt – The long putt is considered to be any putt where the golf ball is 20 feet or more from the pin.

The Greenside Bunker Shot – Getting stuck in the sand can be a nightmare for golfers who do not have this shot in their repertoire.  By opening the face of the Sand wedge and hitting about an inch behind the golf ball will help you to fly out of the sand trap without regret.

The Long Bunker Shot – For these types of shots where height may not be necessary to get you out of the trap, you can use your 8 iron rather than the sand wedge to get you out of trouble.  This shot will help show you how.

The Backward Shot – This is one of the most valuable strokes in golf if you have bad luck while playing.  It seems incredible where you find the ball whether it be right next to a tree or anywhere else where it may seem like an impossible play.  With the backward shot you will be able to get you and your ball out of a jam without losing valuable strokes.

Each of these shots have their particular place in one’s short game.  Some of these stroke saving shots may be more valuable than others but this all depends on one’s game.  Practice the shots which are absolutely necessary such as the short and long putts.  Practice the shots that seem useful depending on your tendencies to shoot for the bunkers in some cases and at least review those shots that you may never seem to use but might one day become very necessary such as the backward shot.

The plethora of courses for will provide you with plenty opportunities to practice and use all of these stroke saving shots again and again. Come stay and play with us on your Myrtle Beach golf vacation and experience the whole spectrum that golf has to offer from the most challenging and world renowned courses to the family friendly, beginner’s courses.

Categories: Golf Tips.