Hit the green with a wood

Why keeping a level head is key to mastering this daunting long shot.

AMATEURS struggle with woods because they get intimidated by the shot, reckons world number one Jason Day.

Sure, a modest loft on the face and a ball sitting tight to the turf does not look as enticing as a 7-iron on a tee, but the harder you try to force this shot, the worse your results will be.

A smooth rhythm and a confident mindset, created by knowing you have the right approach, is all you need to make a success of this shot. We’ll uncover that approach here. As you will see, it is based around a level strike.

A level attack promotes the twin desirables of clean contact, while presenting every one of those degrees in the loft to the ball. Hit the ball forwards, not up or down, and you’ll be well on your way to better shots.

Programme a level attack

The ideal attack sits right in the middle of the squeezing, downward attack we favour with our irons and the sweeping, upward strike that works well with the teed-up driver.

We want to brush the ball forwards with a neutral attack, the clubface meeting the ball as it levels out at the bottom of its arc. Use your set-up to promote this.

1 Level shoulders

Aim to create a feeling of being level at set-up. That starts with 50-50 weight distribution, but also use a club shaft, positioned horizontally, to reinforce that feeling in your shoulders. A feeling of a level belt, and even the lines in your shirt, can also help.

2 Take aim

Square alignment helps the low point of the swing fall in the right place – as your shoulders open, it moves forwards. So use the club shaft as a reference to keep the shoulders and hips square to your target line.

3 Ball position

A level attack means impact must take place at the low point of the club’s arc. That low point falls between your shirt buttons and left shoulder. Play the ball opposite this position.

When you come to address the ball, aim to retain that level sensation. Yes, your trailing shoulder will drop a touch – it has to, to put the trail hand below the lead hand – but never feel you are leaning back, behind the ball. Finally, make sure you spend plenty of time looking up, connecting your target.