One of the most spectacular shots we witness on Sunday afternoons is Phil Mickelson’s high flop shot. He sets up with his blade wide open and takes a mighty cut. The ball flies high in the air and lands almost dead on the green. It is definitely a gorgeous shot but it is full of peril. Most of golfers don’t have the ability to hit the shot during play with any consistency. They will hit behind the ball leaving the ball where it is or blade the ball sending it shooting across the green. Those of you that have tried a lob shot can attest to its difficulty. It is a very low percentage shot.

Granted, there are circumstances that a lob shot is necessary, (over a bunker to a tight pin) but more often than not, the use of a high lofted club is a riskier shot than is needed. Hopefully, the club in your bag that you have the most control with is your putter. Its appeal is the ability to keep the ball on the ground. You have much more control of a ball when it is on the ground than one that is up in the air. The putter, as opposed to other clubs, is used on the green because of that control. As we move off of the green, we should be seeking to maintain much of the same control as possible. On the fringe, use the putter as much as possible.

[Reae More]