Using a fairway wood from challenging lies, can be difficult at times, for this reason, some golfers choose to avoid this club. The three wood is the longest club in your bag after the driver, so avoiding it’s use would mean you are sacrificing some distance, and perhaps the chance to hit shorter iron shots into the green.

Unlike irons, which are most effective when the ball is struck with a downward swing, Fairway woods instruction requires a sweeping motion that strikes the ball as the club head moves parallel to the ground.

On practicing this, position the golf ball similar to that of the driver,(opposite the inside of your left or lead heel), then spread your weight evenly and comfortably on the balls of your feet, taking a wide stance.

Start the takeaway of your swing on a low path that almost shaves the grass, remember to keep your right shoulder level with the ground and begin to pull through with the left hand. Repeat that shallow path on your downswing.

Try to maintain your head position, your upper torso should be behind the golf ball, make sure to extend your arms toward the target in the follow through.

The three wood is not meant to go sky high, so don’t feel like you need to assist it to get it into the air, just try to keep the club head on a level track through impact. Your three-wood and fairway woods have more than enough loft to send your golf ball on it’s way.

To play the high golf shot, where say, you need to go over water or need more loft, play the golf ball a bit further forward in your stance and drop your hands slightly at the address position. Try to place a little extra weight over your back foot by leaning your spine away from your target.

Utilize these position alterations to enable a better swing to sweep the ball off the fairway, and at the same time add some loft to the shot.

To hit a golf shot with a lower, piercing ball flight, just do the opposite. Meaning, place the golf ball where you would normally play a mid iron from, it’s about 2 ball widths back towards the middle of your stance, then place more weight onto your front leg.

These alterations to your set-up can assist you to take the loft off the golf club at impact, which will produce a lower ball flight and hopefully allow your golfball to run up onto the green.

It is much more preferred to adjust your stance, than to alter your swing to hit different shots with your fairway woods, especially when trying to produce different ball flights. Changing your stance is simpler, safer and more beneficial than trying to alter your swing for every shot.

Hitting a 3 Wood from a Tight Lie-Fairway Wood Instruction:

1. Play your ball back of your stance

2. Sweep the golf ball off the fairway

3. Strike your ball with a descending blow

4. Adjust your weight to your lead side

5. Swing through your golf ball

To hit different shots and achieve the lofts you require to drop strokes off your game, the key is to adjust your stance not your swing with your fairway woods.

Remember this, hitting the perfect shot isn’t always, if ever, going to happen, just relax and don’t let stress and tension creep into your game. Always tee your ball up on the same side as the trouble you may face, so you hit away from it, aim for a clear target in the distance. Don’t worry about hitting it a mile, concentrate on accuracy, distance will come.

Popularity: 3% [?]