Golf is a fickle game. Some days, you feel like you can pull off any shot, and other days, it can be hard to even take the club back. That’s why it’s a good idea to develop a few go-to shots in your arsenal.
These reliable shots will come in handy when you have to battle tough conditions, are under pressure, or just when your game is in a less-than-ideal spot. It’s a concept that every tour pro has mastered. Rory McIlory’s stinger is a great example of this.
You might be wondering, what constitutes a good ‘go-to’ shot?
First, these shots need to be reliable and predictable. You need to be able to hit them every time and know how the ball is going to react. They should also be flexible. A good go-to shot should work on any course and in most conditions when executed properly. And lastly, they should inspire confidence. When your game is off, the worst thing you can do is try to pull off a shot you’re not certain you can hit.
Now that you know the qualities your go-to shots should have, it’s time to add a few to your game. Below are five basic and reliable shots that you can incorporate when your game is off, you’re in a tight spot or conditions are rough. Check them out and see if any of them will fit for you.
THE KNOCKDOWN SHOT
A classic go-to shot is a knockdown mid-iron, which you can learn to hit here. These shots typically fly slightly lower and straighter than your usual iron shot, which makes them a perfect option in windy conditions, out of trouble or even as an approach when your game is slightly off.
One key to remember as you practice this shot is that the ball will fly slightly shorter but straighter. So, it’s not a bad idea to make a mental note of this adjusted distance to be as accurate as possible when you put it in play on the course.
PLAY INTO YOUR ‘FAULTS’
Another go-to shot is the big slice. It might sound crazy because a slice is typically a miss. But, when you’re unsure what direction your drives are going, it’s better to embrace a shot, even if it’s not the prettiest, that’s predictable. And it’s a trick that you’ll even see tour pros use occasionally. Wyndham Clark says this is a tactic he used on 18 to win the 2023 U.S. Open Championship. You can watch him explain his version of this go-to drive here.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO CLUB DOWN
If playing a slice isn’t in the cards, don’t be afraid to put the driver away. It’s better to be in the fairway with a wood, hybrid or even long iron and be short than waste a stroke or two getting your ball back in play.
THE YIP-FREE PUTTING STROKE
This is a shot every golfer should have in the bag. You never know if or when the yips will sneak up on you, so it’s best to be prepared. The key to this go-to shot is utilizing bigger muscles to power your putting stroke. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out Butch Harmon’s ‘knee putting’. As he explains in this video series, all you have to do is tuck your elbows into your ribcage and let your knees do the work. A fantastic option for short sliding putts under pressure or the times when your stroke feels erratic or choppy.
AN EASY HALF-WEDGE
There’s nothing worse than hitting a bomb off the tee only to blade or chunk your wedge shot into the green. But most amateurs don’t realize that a bad swing isn’t typically the cause. It’s usually the result of not trusting your distances. To develop a go-to wedge shot that you can count on under pressure, the key is practice—and a lot of it.
Next time you’re on the range, grab a mid-lofted wedge and start hitting half shots. These should be fluid, natural half-swings that are easy to recreate. Once you’re able to dial in your shot dispersion and land about five to ten balls in a row in the same area, use a rangefinder to determine the yardage. That is now your go-to wedge number. From here, you can practice shortening your swing to 25 percent and cranking it up to a three-quarter swing using the same approach.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
While all of these shots are different, they all have one thing in common and that’s that you need to practice them. You cannot trust a shot if you haven’t trained it.
