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    Choosing Which Club To Use

    As you progress each shot down the fairway, the distance between your ball and the flagstick becomes shorter and shorter. This means that your goal is to hit the ball as far as possible from the tee shot. Then on all subsequent shots you will need to adjust your swing for accuracy and precision, not distance.

    This requires that you utilize different clubs for different shots. The club faces are made from either metal or wood. Different materials on a golf club will have different effects on how far the ball will travel, and how high it will go.

    Choosing An Iron or Wood

    Generally speaking, the higher the number on the club, such as a 9-iron for example, the higher the ball will go into the air, but with much less distance than a lower-numbered club, such as a 3-iron.

    If you are new to golf and are a little confused about these numbers and what clubs to use, don't worry, in time you will have a specific feel for each and every one of your 14 clubs when playing on the golf course.

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    • « Good Players Know The Importance Of The Short Game | Home | Become A Better Golfer By Accepting Your Fears »

    Texas Wedge

    By Foursome | June 23, 2008

    There is a term in golf that you may or may not have heard of. It’s called the “Texas Wedge”.

    Some of you are probably wondering what the heck that means. The Texas Wedge actually has to do with the putter and you use this shot any time you are off the green and facing a shot in which you would normally have used a wedge. The term is really more slang for a specific technique that you can use to improvise around the greens.

    But Why Name It After The State Of Texas?

    Texas is known for having golf courses on the plains that are saturated with sweeping grounds and whipping winds. These conditions make your seasoned Texas golfer good at keeping the ball low, which is a necessity. And what better club to keep the ball low than using the putter?Now before you run out claiming hold of the famous Texas Wedge and showing off your new-found strategic shot, there are certain conditions that warrant using your putter off of the green:

    1. The ground must be packed firm, hard to the touch, which allows the ball to travel fast.

    2. The grass leading to the green should be trimmed short, and even.

    3. No bunkers or hazards can be in between you and the hole (or the target line).

    4. The pathway towards your target line cannot be too steep uphill. Some slight elevation should be fine but you must have the skill to allow for it.

    5. And lastly, if there are strong winds then the Texas Wedge may be a more appealing option than pitching the ball into the air.

    Practice, Practice, Practice

    Being able to effectively play the Texas Wedge shot not only requires a little imagination on your part, but also lots of practice. These types of strategies are meant to be used during a real game only if you are comfortable with them, which of course can only be done with practice.

    Spend time on the practice greens as often as possible to work the shot into your arsenal. At first it will feel odd and your shots will be off, but in time you will become very proficient in making long putts which in turn makes those shorts ones even easier!

    When you first start to use the Texas Wedge during your real golf games don’t be embarrassed when everyone is looking at you strangely for putting off the green. Some players may even mock you a bit (hopefully friendly mockery from your group).  But in order to have this shot something to be proud of, keep at it and soon you will have players asking you for tips on helping with with their “Texas Wedge” shots.

    Topics: Golf Clubs & Equipment, Tips & Practice |

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