By Lea Pouillard
This month we are taking a look at how to shape your shots off the tee. There a number of factors to consider when faced with different set-ups around any given course — be it a dogleg left, dogleg right or into the wind. Here we will show you how to get the most out of your drive in different circumstances.

Your stance can help you draw or fade a shot and also help with a low flight off the tee to help take the wind out of the equation.

THE DRAW
First up is the draw, where the ball needs to start on the right of the target and curve to the left all the way to the target point. This is an ideal shot if you are faced with a dogleg left. To get the curve you will need the club face ‘closed’ to the path it is on, and add that right-to-left spin.

For that we aim to the right with the line of our body (feet, hips and shoulders) and swing the club in this direction while keeping the face of the club on the target, so club face is closed to the path of club.

THE FADE
Next up is the fade, where the ball needs to start on the left of our target and curve to the right (dogleg right). To get the curve you will need to club face ‘open’ to the path that’s is on, which should feel left.

This time around, we do the opposite with our body, aligning our feet, hips and shoulders left of the target and swing the club in this direction. Remember to keep the face of the club on the intended target.

LOW FLIGHT
Finally, sometimes you could be faced with a straight approach from the tee, but you are playing into the wind. Here, a low-trajectory flight is perfect to help take most of that wind out of play as a high ball will get caught and stop dead. 

To achieve this, your set up in front the ball needs to be altered. Try to tee up the ball lower than normal, with the ball in the centre of your stance. Try to get a feel for something like a punch and hold your finish half way, keeping your hands, arms and clubhead lower than usual during your finish.

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Lea Pouillard is PGA teaching professional at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s Peter Cowen Academy Dubai.

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