Golfing: The Long Game

by Rhys Jones

The long game refers to your drives (shots off the tee) and fairway shots; everything short of the shots you make to get onto the green. Therefore, the long game is the first part of the game that you will have to learn.

After all, if it takes you six or seven shots to get near to the green, then even if you putt the ball down in one stroke, you will still lose.

Because each hole has a different difficulty level, a different par and different hazards, advising you to use your driver every time on every tee would obviously be wrong.

But don't worry about it. The long game is something that you will have to learn with experience as you learn the various types of shot you need to make, which will vary according to the club, the placement of the ball and your own personal style of swing.

Generally speaking, the lower the club number, the longer and lower your ball will fly. A 4-iron shot will travel a long and low trajectory and will most likely will keep rolling when it hits the ground, whereas a 9-iron shot will have much more loft and go less distance both in the air and on the ground. So these are used most often in the long game.

The professionals on television make it look so easy, do they not? They consistently hit the ball long and straight and never miss-hit or slice the ball making it dribble ten feet or so or even worse, completely miss the ball altogether.

Learning how to drive properly is very important to the long game and so your game of golf itself. Consider spending many hours at the driving range, because that will help improve your distance shots.

Experiment with the same club to see what works for you if you move the ball forward or backward in your stance. Take a lesson, if possible, and then you will learn the proper swing from the beginning.

If you spend a few hours with the golf club pro golfer, you will learn a lot quickly from someone who knows what he is talking about, rather that learning a dozen different opinions from a dozen different people who, to put it frankly, are better accountants than they are golfers.

Get someone to record it on video for you as well, so that you can study your swing and the golf pro's swing at home too.

Mastering the long game will help you get to the green in fewer strokes, keeping your score and frustration levels down. Remember that it takes a long time to learn consistency in the long game and also always remember that you are supposed to be having fun!