Virginia Golfer March / April 2015 | Page 22

Your Game GAINS IN MODERATION Use the medium shot when you have roughly one-third to one-half of carry distance before the ball begins to roll. Play the ball more in the center of your stance and set your hands on the inside of your left thigh. Use a gap wedge, sand wedge or lob wedge when playing this shot. This stroke is the same as the low pitch. On the play that requires some carry and roll, take some loft and allow the ball to land on the putting surface and travel to the target. Get Ready for Game Time A HIGHER CALLING The high play may be employed when you have to carry the ball the majority of the way to the hole and there is very little green to work with on the shot. This option can be used to go over a bunker and stop the ball quickly at a close, tight hole location. Open the clubface, keep the club right at the middle of your body around your belly button and keep the ball fairly centered. Lower the club’s handle to reposition your hands and take a wider stance. Use a lob wedge or sand wedge for this shot. There is no reason to fear the lob wedge, which will spin more and roll less. 20 VIRGINIA GOLFER | MARCH/APRIL 2015 19_VSGA_MarApr15.indd 20 In order to get the ball up in the air quickly, set your hands low, open the clubface and allow the club’s loft and bounce to do the work as you swing along your body line. w w w. v s g a . o r g 3/18/15 9:20 AM TOP RIGHT: SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES The average amateur g