| Hit more greens with my 80-percent rule
By Zach Mahan, Golf Digest Certified Teacher
Woods Hole G.C., Woods Hole, MA | | My 80-percent rule can help you control your approach shots and hit more greens. Next time you’re on the range, select a target in the distance and visualize a line out to that target. Starting with your shorter clubs, hit some shots down that target line, graduating from half-swings to three-quarter to full swings. As your swing progresses, your shots will naturally start to drift farther off line. How much is too much off line? Here’s where my 80-percent rule comes in: If you hit your approach shots “80-percent on line,” you’re going to get an acceptable result and almost always land on the green. So that’s where you should cap your distance, allowing no more than 20 percent dispersion. For example, if you’re hitting a 180-yard shot, the ball should land within 36 yards of the target—that’s 20 percent of 180—giving you 18 yards on either side. Now you’re putting for birdie from 180 out, how fun is that! | |
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