Instruction

Playing Lesson: How would you play these shots?

Published

10 years ago

Mar 31, 2016

All too often, I see golfers frustrated and confused after taking lessons. Many practice diligently, but don’t see the results they want on their scorecard. They improve their game, skills and ball-striking, but not their score.

Often, this is due to scoring mistakes rooted in improper course management. No matter how drastic your improvements, if you’re still making the same mental errors, your scores won’t improve, at least not at the rate you want.

Below, I take you through some shots and situations I encountered while at Puerto Peñasco, just south of the border of Arizona on the Northern part of the Sea of Cortez, where the hilly lies and green-side slopes give you more than you can ask for by way of a challenge. I hope that offering my thoughts in this playing lesson will encourage you to think more critically during your rounds of golf.

Tee shot: Reachable Par-5

Here is the tee shot on No. 18. The fairway slopes from right to left, the wind blows from right to left and the fairway pinches in around the bunker on the left side of the fairway, which is the normal landing area.

As a reachable par-5, the risky play is to hit driver into the smallest part of the fairway. The slope of fairway and predominate wind could force the ball too far left into the deep bunker, however, where going for the green probably isn’t an option. The safer play is to hit a shorter club off of the tee, taking the bunker out of play, and aim for the widest part of the fairway, but from there it becomes a three-shot hole.

Which shot would you choose and why?

I do my best to make my golfing decisions through logic, not emotions, unless the state of the match dictates a different strategy. In this situation, I’ve hit 13 other tee shots on the day, so I should have a very good idea of how I’m playing and what type control my swing is providing. If I feel confident and the conditions are favorable, then I will hit driver in hopes of reaching the green in two.

If my misses that day are going right, I’ll hit fairway wood, since most of the trouble is on the right on this hole. But if my misses have been left, or hooking, then I may just aim a touch right and allow the wind and my hook to bring the ball back into the fairway. At worst, I’ll still be able to reach the green in three shots.

Remember to use your trends, confidence and the conditions to help you find the fairway off the tee. Sure, sometimes you will hit the ball out of play, but if you use all the information you have at hand you’ve done all you can do.

Where to lay up

After your tee shot (congrats on finding the fairway, by the way), you cannot reach the green and you have to lay up with a hybrid or long iron. The lay-up shot is to a fairway that slopes uphill from left to right, and the pin is cut on the right center of the green. From the picture below, you can see that most of the trouble is on the right side of the hole and the predominate wind is from right to left.

Where would you aim?

First of all, I take into account what yardage I want to have into the pin. Personally, I want to hit my lay-up shot as close to the green as I can, since that offers me the best chance to make birdie. This isn’t the case for everyone, however, so make sure to figure out the approximate distance you want into the green, then subtract that from your total to the green.

For me, I want to lay up with the longest club I can where I KNOW I’ll have no trouble finding the fairway a majority of the time. Once I have selected this club, the next thing I must do is make sure I find the best “look” to the pin for my third shot. Let me show you what I mean, because simply being on the correct side of the fairway can make your next shot easier or harder.

Option 1

Option 2

Both options have the same yardage to pin, but are from different sections of the fairway.

Option 1 offers a clear shot into the pin and the ability to use the slope to my advantage with a left-to-right shot.
Option 2 shows the look from the far right side of the fairway, leaving me an uphill, partly blind shot into the pin with a false front short of the pin.

As we know, whenever you hit the ball from an upslope you can usually guarantee that you’ll leave the ball short. If you do so here, the false front will grab your ball and funnel it down farther short and right of the green, leaving you a difficult fourth shot for your up and down.

Remember, your goal is to leave yourself the best yardage possible for your strengths AND to make sure you leave yourself an angle into the pin that works for the conditions and your normal shot pattern. There’s nothing worse than blocking yourself off from the pin location due to improper planning on a lay-up shot. Watch the Masters next month and you will see what I mean; when players leave the ball in the wrong place, they have issues making pars, let alone birdies!

The long bunker shot

Here’s an example of a shot that haunts the average golfer, and can certainly cause a blow-up hole that ruins your handicap and score for the day. So let’s take a look at the situation.

We’ve bailed out right on an approach shot, and now we’re faced with a long bunker shot with fairway between the green and the pin. The wind is into us, the fairway and green run away from us toward the ocean, and the conditions are firm. The ball won’t hold the green unless we’ve hit the shot nearly perfectly.

What kind of shot would you play here?

Most people in this situation would try and pick the ball out of the bunker, or hit a long bunker shot with a sand wedge onto the green. Both shots are lower percentage because, first of all, very few practice these shots and secondly, there are red stakes just past the green.

What would a better player do from here? The first thing I would examine is the lie and the lip of the bunker. As you can see, the ball is sitting up very nicely and the lip is basically out of play, which gives us a few other options. The next thing I would examine is the firmness of the sloping fairway in front of the green. As stated earlier, the slope is running toward the green, and since the wind is blowing there is no moisture in the grass to help stop the ball.

So what’s my best play? I would first make sure I took the big number out of play. By hitting a picked shot or long bunker shot with a sand wedge, I can make a 2, 3, 4, 5, or even more. But if I choose a higher percentage shot like a bump-and-run, landing the ball well short of the green and depending on roll to get it there, or a bunker shot with an 7, 8 or 9 iron, both options take big numbers out of the picture. Sure, I could hit the safe shot like a buffoon and make a big number, but the odds are that I won’t and a par or bogey is the worst I’ll make.

Sometimes, being a hero or trying to “look” like a Tour Player is out of the question because of the risk/reward. Personally, I would look at this shot as one where I hit a bad approach and I need to escape with nothing worse than a bogey. The odds of me making par are slim, so let’s not make double trying to get cute.

Remember that hitting the “right” shot is not always the one that gives you the most style points in the end.

Flop, or not?

This is a very typical green-side shot that gives people fits and usually causes much more anxiety than it should.

Think about how you would play this shot.

Here you can see that we have our ball just off the green, but we have to loft a shot in the air to a tight pin with a green that’s running away from us. Most of the time, I see the lob wedge coming out and the Phil Mickelson super-flop swing warming up!

As you know, these are shots that beg to be left short on the mound, giving you the opportunity to hit the same shot all over again! So what’s the best play?

Take your time to look around the pin… what do you see? There’s a backstop just past, which means we won’t have to hit the super flop and can use a more square-face shot, which offers more consistency. From here, you can make your normal pitch swing, land the ball between the fringe and the pin, run it up the slope, and watch it drift backward down to the pin again. Two chances to make it for birdie!

Not every shot requires you to hit the super flop. The key for most players is to opt for the shot that’s easiest for them to pull off time after time, and still allows them to get up and down. Phil practices flop shots every week at a tournament site, while you probably only play on the weekends and rarely practice your short game.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to use the backstop and take short and the mound out of play? Chances are you’ll hit a better shot than you think and won’t even need the backstop.

Instruction

How to play your best golf when the temperature drops

Published

3 months ago

Feb 3, 2026

Brendon Elliott

The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.

“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.

If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.

Understand What Cold Does to Your Game

Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.

Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.

Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.

Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing

Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.

Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.

Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.

Take More Club Than You Think You Need

This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.

The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.

Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.

Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens

Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.

Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.

Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.

Embrace the Mental Challenge

Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”

That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.

Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.

Warm Up Longer and Smarter

This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.

Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.

The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

Instruction

3 lessons from Brooks Koepka that’ll actually lower your score

Published

3 months ago

Feb 2, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.

So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.

Stop Overthinking Every Shot

Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.

This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.

How to actually do this:

On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.

Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.

If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.

This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.

Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)

Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.

Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:

Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.

Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.

Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.

Save Your Best for When It Counts

Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.

How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.

Here’s what actually works:

Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.

Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.

Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.

The Bottom Line

Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.

You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.

Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.

Instruction

What we can learn from Blades Brown’s impressive American Express performance

Published

3 months ago

Jan 29, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.

Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.

Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee

Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.

Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.

Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.

The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.

Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens

This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.

How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.

Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.

Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.

When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.

Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient

Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.

He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.

Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.

Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.

Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.