Developing Feel Shots

By Ethan Danish

The best players in the world practice hitting each club a variety of distances. Sure, they have their stock shots,but they work at creating the maximum choice based on course conditions and the lie of the ball. How do they do it?

1. The backswing remains the same
2. They vary the speed of their arms

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Here’s what I mean

Maybe they need to hit their 8 iron on a higher trajectory than normal because it's to a tucked pin and down wind. By swinging harder it will add more spin and climb into the air higher, making it land softer. Then on the next hole, maybe they need to hit their 8 iron 40 yards shorter because it’s downhill to a back pin. The pros don't do this by changing the length of their swing. They change the speed of their arms.

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On the range

A great drill to develop feel shots is to attempt to hit all your clubs as far as you can hit your sand wedge. If you hit your sand wedge 80 yards, see if you can hit your 9 iron 80 yards,  your 6 iron 80 yards, then your 4 hybrid 80 yards and so on. Even try your driver to 80 yards. The same drill will help with your little wedge shots around the green, changing the pace of your arms in a practice routine with your wedges.
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Be sure to Develop Feel Shots at the practice facility before you attempt them on the course.