A useful shot to develop around the green is the ‘flop’ shot that floats high and lands softly.
As impressive as it looks, top players only use this stroke when they are stuck in a tricky situation, such as lifting it over a bunker on to the green.
Follow these steps to help you master this shot:
* Always check the lie of the ball. It is easier when there is a good amount of grass under the ball.
* Select your most lofted club. A sand wedge is good and a lob wedge even better.
* Lay the club so the back of the club head touches the ground. This is an open position. Always open first then grip second.
* Take a wide stance with good knee flex and 70 per cent of the weight on your forward foot.
* Pick the club up steeply in the backswing and focus on allowing the club to ‘drop’ under the ball in the downswing.
* The swing should be full, but with a nice smooth rhythm. Never try to help the ball up, instead strike down on the ball and allow the loft of the club get the ball in the air.
Keep busy over the summer months and use the time to take up golf or improve your game with the Unrestricted Summer Tuition Package from the Royal Golf Club.
Package holders can take as many lessons as they wish between the date of purchase and August 31 (maximum of one lesson per day) with the PGA Professional of their choice.
Prices start from BD249 for non-members. For more details, call 17750777.
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* The Royal Golf Club is offering three value-for-money golf packages:
1. Summer Night Pass – unlimited night golf, unlimited use of the academy practice facilities & unlimited use of the country club pool, gym etc from 6pm daily, all for BD129 per month.
2. Summer Sizzler Package – experience a food & golf-filled day including breakfast, lunch and 27 holes of golf for BD30 net per person.
3. Golf & Gourmet Package – enjoy 18 holes of golf on the Montgomerie championship course followed by a Gourmet Burger in the award-winning Links Restaurant for BD25 net per person.
Terms & conditions apply. For details, call the club on 17750777.