SOMETIMES you may find yourself missing the green down a slope or behind a bunker without much room between the obstacle and the flag.

We call this being short-sided, requiring a short shot that will stop quickly when it hits the green.

There are two ways to do this.

Firstly, you can stop the ball using spin which requires quality of strike and speed.

Secondly, you can use the height of the ball’s flight. The higher you hit the ball the steeper the land angle which means the ball will not roll out as much as a lower shot.

To hit this high-lofted shot, you must focus on three key points.

First, set the ball forward in the stance, this will help you launch the ball high by hitting with a shallow angle.

Then you must open the club face a little to add some loft to the club.

Lastly you must make a narrow swing. By this I mean that you should not swing your arms far from your body, but rely mainly on your wrists to create the swing arc.

Try not to be too wide towards the target. Hinge your wrist back to help pop the ball into the air and onto the green.

  • Give Golf A Go sessions with Simon started at Bowood this month. Clubs provided. Email s.shanks@bowood.org or call 01249 823881