Big Trouble

I have chosen four of what I feel are the most common trouble shots you may encounter at The Bridges Golf Club. And "Taking the Challenge" at the Bridges involves being prepared for trouble shots. It would be naive of me to think otherwise. Remember, every course has a little different layout and terrain so practice accordingly.

Welcome these difficult situations as a test of your intellect. These shots just take a bit more creativity than others. Besides, if we hit every shot in the fairway and then on the green, we would have nothing to talk about over a beverage after the round.

Trouble shots might be the hot topic of conversation after the round but are less popular at the practice range. There are several reasons why we don't practice trouble shots. First of all, we never expect to have to play a trouble shot. And there are not many practice areas set up to work on these types of shots. Besides, trouble shots are not the most glamorous shots to practice. Imagine yourself hitting a large basket of practice balls from high rough or under a tree. The way to practice trouble shots is with one golf ball and the competition of others. It's the difference between practicing for five minutes or two hours.

Here are four common trouble shots. With a little guidance and practice you could save yourself a few strokes and a lot of frustration.

The Plugged Bunker Shot

This is a fairly easy shot to get out of the bunker, but difficult to get close to the hole. Understand: Because the ball is in a hole it will come out fairly low and with very little spin. Little spin will cause the ball to roll when it lands on the green.

Keys: Close the face of your sand or lob wedge. Next, close it even more. Did I mention, close the face? Finally, strike the sand fairly close to the ball. Make sure you get the sand out of the bunker.

The Backhanded Shot

In this situation, you cannot take your stance because a tree, bush, or severe slope is in your way. This shot is necessary when your only option is to stand on the opposite side of the ball.

Understand: This is a difficult shot to hit more than 30 yards. So we are just going to take our medicine on this one.

Keys: Flip your seven iron around, stand very close to the ball with your back to your target. You are going to use your dominant hand to hit the shot. Take lots of practice swings, and avoid your ankle! Trust me, this is much easier than trying to hit it left-handed.

Downhill Chip Shot

Several of the greens at The Bridges are set into the hillside, testing your ability to chip down to the putting surface.

Understand: Don't try to hit this shot high. The slope of the ground has already determined that this shot must be hit low.

Keys: The most important key is to make solid contact. You're going to use a basic chipping technique with one adjustment, angle your shoulders with the slope. This will help you swing with the slope. On a downhill chip, you will make a higher backswing and a lower follow through.

Ball in a Small Hole Next to the Green

This is almost guaranteed to happen at least once a round. The ball is located just a couple feet off the surface of the green, but it has settled into a small depression, not much larger than the ball itself. This simple shot is very easy to chunk short or blade over the green.

Understand: Because the ball is sitting down in a depression it is very difficult to spin. This is the bad news and the good news. Because it will come out with topspin, it will be easier to predict the first bounce. No matter if the first bounce is in the rough or on the surface of the green I know it will not spin. The ball will roll true, which makes the shot easy to execute with a putter!

Keys: Use your putter, it's the key. Place the ball slightly back in your stance, and treat the shot like a chip. You will contact the ball with a descending blow, the ball will pop over the long grass, and roll with topspin. Plan on hitting it close to the hole.

It is a good idea to be knowledgeable of the trouble shots you encounter the most, and practice them. You need to set up your practice to be entertaining. We cover a few trouble shots during the on-course instruction portion of our one-day golf schools at The Bridges Golf Club. It's a real kick to put yourself in a situation and see how many shots it takes to put the ball in the hole. No matter the situation or the results, make sure you keep it fun.

Perry Andrisen is a PGA Teaching Professional at The Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, California. He teaches over 2,000 lessons a year. He has previously worked at Montreux Golf Club and Hazeltine National Golf Club. Perry has coached players from the PGA Tour, Nationwide, Hooters, Teardrop, Spanos, Pepsi, Dakotas, and Golden State golf tours. Among his PGA Tour clients is his former college teammate Aaron Barber. Perry has found a Profession that he absolutely loves, and it shows in every lesson he gives. For more information, visit Perry's Web site at http://www.perryandrisen.com.

---

Golf Strength Training Is The Missing Link To A Great Game

Golf strength training is the quickest way to add yards to your drives and eliminate back pain forever. The golf swing puts a tremendous amount of stress... Read More

This IS Golf - Womens Golf

The Korean women golfer Jeong Jang (JJ) chose the British Women's Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, to win her first title. What's more she led... Read More

Fitness Ball Training for Golf

There are many training tools available to help achieve better balance in your golf swing. The most effective way to improve balance is by training the core... Read More

Getting Your Hands Through the Ball at Impact

Have you ever thought about what your hands and forearms are actually doing at the moment of impact? If not, please give this a try because it's... Read More

Is The Golf Ball The Real Reason For Longer Drives ?

A Little History FirstTo determine this point, we have to travel back in time and see how the original golf ball was formed.The original golf balls as... Read More

What No Golf Bag Should Be Without

Whether you are a golf pro or a rookie trying your best to learn the tricks of the trade, golf can be a very difficult sport to... Read More

Improve Your Putting By Developing Rock Solid Confidence On The Green

All of us have missed a short putt before. It is frustrating to miss something you know you can make! And most often a missed short putt... Read More

Golf Strength Training Slows The Aging Process

Golf strength training is critical in slowing down the effects of aging. Issues like rapidly declining strength, flexibility, and endurance. The number of golfers who are middle... Read More

Golf Tips Should Always Include Fitness

When you think of golf tips, do you usually think about how to improve your swing, or how to sink your putts? Those, of course, are good... Read More

Golf Driving Tip That Will Add Yards Quickly

A golf driving tip that can make the difference between being the shortest hitter in your foursome to the longest?consistently would interest you right? Well?the tip I'm... Read More

Why The Golfing Game Has Changed Tremendously In Recent Years

The world has changed a great deal in recent years and so has the golfing game. Those who are resisting the changes in the world instead of... Read More

How to Eliminate Your Golf Slice Quickly and Easily

Here's a really good tip that may help you to get rid of your slice. Best of all, it's really pretty simple once you get the hang... Read More

Do You Understand Golf Club Swing Weight

Golf club swing weight. Have you heard that term before?A rather effective method of improving the golf swing is by adding extra weight to the club and... Read More

What Night Golf Ball should I use for my Glow Ball event?

Believe it or not, there are three different types of Night Golf Balls. The more traditional Night Golf ball has a hollow core in which a light... Read More

5 Easy Steps To Replacing Your Golf Grips

Replacing your golf grips is like servicing your car; you must do it on a very routine basis to keep them in top working order. We suggest... Read More

Golf Ideas Clone Golf Clubs Buyers Guide

The TruthLets be honest you decided to click on this link for one of the following reasons:You want to improve your golf game (score). You were intrigued... Read More

The Cost/Benefit Analysis

There is a very useful method that many accountants use called "The cost/benefit analysis". You may be familiar with it. The analysis is done to cut the... Read More

What Do the Core and the Golf Swing Have in Common?

The concept of "core training" is a "buzz word" in today's fitness and training community. It has also become a prevalent idea in the game of golf.... Read More

Big Trouble

I have chosen four of what I feel are the most common trouble shots you may encounter at The Bridges Golf Club. And "Taking the Challenge" at... Read More

Effective Golf Fitness Equipment

Golf fitness equipment is designed to help a golfer build strength in certain muscles so as to improve their golf game and lower their scores.The problem is... Read More

The Ideal Exercises For Senior Golfers

The really tricky part about exercises for senior golfers, and getting them to do, is the fact they often suffer from various ailments and pains in various... Read More

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential (Part 1)

Time and time again we see today's golfers out on the driving range trying to better their game. Whether it's working their short game or driving the... Read More

Why A Modern Golf Training System Is So Effective

Gone are the days when a golf training system mainly involved going over to the course and practicing your swing. This was hardly effective and for many... Read More

Confusion Feeds the Golf Industry

The policeman drops his paycheck on the kitchen table so his wife can go shopping and pay their bills. They are able to do this because somewhere... Read More

Golf Training Uses Flexibility, Strength, And Power

When it comes to fitness training for your golf game which is most important: flexibility, strength, or power? Flexibility advocates stress the importance of being able to... Read More

Achieving The Perfect Golf Swing Drill

The perfect golf swing drill is a joy to behold. And yet it is not too hard to achieve.The perfect golf swing drill starts with a proper... Read More