Master the fairway wood shot

One of the most overlooked shots in golf is the fairway wood. Unless you play on Tour and can hit your 6-iron more than 200 yards, you must rely heavily on the your fairway wood game. For most amateurs, a fairway wood shot is needed on long par threes, long par fours and most par fives. Therefore, it is a vital club for scoring.

Here are a four things to remember when hitting your fairway woods:

1. Position ball off front heel

Proper ball position is important. The ball should be played off the left heel (for lefties off the right heel). A ball played too far forward in the stance will lead to a topped shot, while a ball played too far in the middle of the stance will lead to a chunked shot. Correct ball position will also promote a slightly more shallow angle of approach, which is needed when hitting a fairway wood. Looking at the divot after your shot will tell you whether the angle of approach is correct. The divot should be small and shallow.

2. Stay level

In order to hit a solid fairway wood, it is necessary to stay “level.” There is a tendency to lift when taking the club away. This will cause inconsistent contact. Always maintain a slight knee flex at the top of the swing. This is an important foundation for being able to repeat the swing. A player can get away with lifting on wedge shots, but not fairway wood shots.

3. The grip

Many players who struggle with the fairway wood shot are not using proper grip pressure. Keep grip pressure light. This will allow the golf club to release at the ball. Former US Open Champion Ken Venturi was once quoted as saying, “The good player swings through the ball, while the awkward player hits at it.” Light grip pressure will allow the club to swing through the ball.

4. Practice makes perfect

Finally, work fairway wood shots into your practice routine. Players on the practice range hit dozens of shots with their drivers, then skip their 3-woods and 5-woods. Make practicing with your fairway woods fun. Think of shots you must play at your favorite course and try to reenact those shots. This will build confidence on the golf course. Always pick the smallest possible target at the range. Just hitting balls out to the middle of the range is not productive. Pick a target pin or a pole in the distance. This will build precision.

By following these steps and working the fairway wood into your practice regime, you will eventually begin to make more solid contact with your 3-wood and 5-wood. In turn, your scores will improve.

Hopefully this article will lead to further enjoyment of this great game.