BREAK 90 Hybrid and a flick

If anything, strategy is hardest for the would-be 80-shooter who has probably hit their share of decent fairway woods. However, the shot remains an intimidating one; and given you will almost certainly have a shot to play with through your handicap, my advice is to remain comfortable and play to get down in four more strokes, rather than chase a risky three. So in this case, select a lofted wood or hybrid and play to leave yourself a pitch or chip to the green. When you permit yourself to remain in control of the situation, it’s amazing how many times you actually make that lower score.

Set-up: Iron strike

As its name very clearly suggests, the hybrid blends the properties of a wood and an iron… and this has led to confusion. Are we supposed to sweep it like a wood, or should we be squeezing it like an iron? The best approach here is to treat it like a mid-iron, setting up for a strike that is level with a slight downward pinch. This starts with ball position (1); play it opposite your lead chest, just forward of centre in a shoulder-width stance.

Impact: Subtle squeeze

With a committed downswing weight shift and rotation, this ball position encourages contact just before the club reaches the bottom of its arc. That means a subtle, descending impact attack angle with the handle leading the clubhead through the strike (2). As with the 100-breaker, don’t try to hit the cover off the ball. Play the shot almost like a lay-up, to the front apron of the green. This will promote better rhythm… and a more centred strike.