Mastering bad ball positions - the way out of the undergrowth

Difficult situations - simple solutions: Part 2

Sometimes the ball is in the thicket. It is important not to see such difficult situations as an insurmountable obstacle, but as an opportunity to improve our skills. The right approach and a cool head can get us out of the trickiest situations and boost our confidence.

Before you start hitting, you can and should remove loose natural materials such as pine cones or branches. Not only will this clear your hitting area, but it can also help to boost your confidence and promote a positive attitude. A clean environment can help us focus on what's really important: the shot itself.

Choosing the right club is another crucial aspect of managing this situation. The gap wedge, which sits between the sand wedge and pitching wedge from the loft, can be an excellent choice when the ball doesn't need to fly high. It allows for a flatter, more controlled shot that effectively gets the ball out of the brush.

It is also important to remember that our primary goal is not always to hit the ball directly to the flag. Instead, it is wiser to choose a safe landing zone that offers plenty of margin for error. Often a shot to the front green is an excellent target, as the ball usually rolls on from there. A half pitch or half chip can describe the feel of this shot well.

Mastering bad ball positions requires practice and patience. It is important to practise such situations regularly and find simple but effective solutions.