Hitting From Hardpan

Here's the scenario:

You've sliced it right and landed on hardpan (or in a waster area on a desert course). You struggle from hardpan lies, tending to skull the ball more often than not, but you're close to the green and want to go for it. An easy swing gets you home from here, if you hit it right.

Below are six keys to hitting this shot:

1. Use a hybrid for the shot
2. Position the ball forward
3. Hover the club above the dirt
4. Shift your weight slightly forward
5. Take an easy three-quarter backswing
6. Strike the ball and hardpan together

Use a hybrid for the shot because the club's extra loft makes the shot easier. If you're inside the hybrid's range, choke down.

Position the ball just forward of the middle of your stance, hover the club above the ball, and set your weight slightly forward. Don't place too much weight forward. Your swing will be too steep and you'll drive the clubhead into the hardpan.

Take a nice easy three-quarter backswing. If you swing harder, you risk slipping on the sand. Your footing isn't that good to start, since you're standing on hardpan and your spikes can't dig in. Keep your lower body quiet. It should feel like your upper body is turning, but your chest isn't swaying.

Hit the ball and hardpan simultaneously. To do it, rotate your shoulders, hips, and knees toward the target together. If you turn like this all the way through, you'll avoid coming down too steeply with your swing and bouncing the club off the ground.

The key move here is hitting the ball and hardpan simultaneously. If you do that correctly, you'll reach the green easily, leaving you a chance to make par.

For more golf tuition go to http://www.learninggolfswing.com

Wayne