As any golfer knows, the approach shot to the green is one of the most critical parts of the game. Hit it close and you set yourself up for an easy birdie putt. Miss the green and you can quickly find yourself in all sorts of trouble. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid golf strategy for how to attack the green, depending on the location of the flag.
In one Youtube video, PGA teaching pro Joseph Kim provided some excellent tips and insights on how to approach the green effectively. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from his lesson.
Aiming for the Center
One of the main principles that Kim emphasizes is the importance of aiming for the center of the green, rather than going directly at the flag. This is especially true on approach shots to the front of the green.
The reasoning behind this is straightforward. When you’re hitting a shot to the front portion of the green, it’s very easy to come up short and find your ball in a bunker or the rough just short of the putting surface. And even if you do manage to hit the green, if you’re just a few yards offline, you could end up with a very tricky up-and-down.
Instead, Kim suggests taking an extra club and hitting to the center of the green. This gives you a little extra margin for error. Even if you don’t quite catch it perfectly, you’re likely still going to end up on the green and have a reasonable, makeable putt.
As Kim put it, “The key is to use the whole green. If you hit it perfectly, you might end up close to the flag. But if you mishit it a little, you’ll still be on the green with a reasonable putt.”
The numbers back this up. Statistics show that golfers tend to have an easier time with short-range putts versus longer greenside chips or bunker shots. So by aiming for the center and leaving yourself a longer putt, you’re increasing your chances of saving par or even making birdie.
Adjusting for Back Pins
The advice changes a bit, however, when you’re facing a shot to a back pin position. In these cases, Kim suggests taking a slightly shorter club and being more aggressive with your swing.
The reason for this is that with a back pin, you want to make sure you carry the ball all the way to the putting surface. If you come up short, you risk ending up in a difficult situation short-sided to the pin. And going long isn’t quite as problematic, as you’ll still have a decent chance of getting up-and-down.
“When the pin is in the back, you need to be a little more aggressive,” Kim explains. “Take a club that’s a touch shorter than what the distance would normally call for, and really go after it. The key is making sure you clear the front of the green.”
This tactic gives you a better chance of sticking your approach close to the back pin. And even if you mishit it a little, you’re still likely to end up safely on the putting surface with a reasonable look at birdie.
Avoiding Long Misses
One of the biggest mistakes Kim sees amateur golfers make is hitting approach shots that end up long and over the green. This can quickly turn a manageable par into a damaging bogey or double.
“Golfers tend to really try to guide the ball onto the green when they’re faced with a back pin,” Kim says. “And that often leads to them coming up short or going long. Either way, it puts you in a very tough spot.”
Instead, Kim emphasizes the importance of avoiding those big misses long. He recommends being a little more aggressive with your swing, but keeping the shot focused on clearing the front of the green. Even if you mishit it a touch, you’re still likely to end up on the putting surface with a decent look at par or even birdie.
“It’s all about managing your misses,” Kim notes. “If you’re going to make a mistake, you want it to be one that leaves you in a position to still save par, not one that leaves you with an impossible up-and-down.”
The Data Supports It
Kim’s approach is backed up by the data. Studies have shown that golfers tend to have an easier time with longer putts versus short-sided greenside shots. So by aiming for the center of the green and leaving yourself a longer putt, you’re actually increasing your chances of a good outcome.
“The stats show that golfers are much better at two-putting from 30 feet than they are getting up-and-down from a bunker or thick rough,” Kim explains. “So why not take advantage of that and use the full width of the green to your benefit?”
Additionally, research has found that golfers tend to struggle more with downhill putts versus uphill ones. So by leaving yourself an uphill putt from the center of the green, you’re setting yourself up for an easier, more makeable putt.
“It’s all about managing your misses and putting yourself in the best position possible,” Kim says. “Even if you don’t hit the perfect shot, you’re still going to have a much better look at making par or birdie.”
Applying It to Your Game
Of course, the key is being able to actually execute on this strategy when you’re out on the course. It’s one thing to understand the concepts, but another thing entirely to put them into practice during your round.
Kim suggests starting by getting comfortable with the idea of aiming for the center of the green, rather than going straight at the flag. This may feel counterintuitive at first, especially if you’re used to being aggressive and trying to stuff it close.
“It’s a mental shift, for sure,” Kim acknowledges. “But once you see how it plays out and how it helps you avoid those big misses, I think you’ll be convinced. Give it a try for a few rounds and see the difference it can make.”
He also recommends practicing your distance control, both with full swings and partial shots. Being able to consistently hit your numbers is crucial for successfully executing this strategy.
“If you don’t have a good handle on your yardages, it’s going to be really tough to pull this off,” Kim says. “Spend some time on the range dialing in your distances, so you know exactly which club to hit for each situation.”
Finally, Kim emphasizes the importance of staying patient and accepting the occasional mistake. Even the best players in the world mishit shots from time to time. The key is minimizing the damage when those misses happen.
“You’re going to have some shots that don’t come off exactly how you want,” Kim admits. “But if you’ve aimed for the center of the green, you’re still going to be in a decent spot to save par or make birdie. Just stay positive and keep trusting the process.”
Putting It All Together
Ultimately, Kim’s approach boils down to being smart, strategic, and focused on managing your misses. By aiming for the center of the green and adjusting your club selection based on pin position, you can put yourself in position to score well, even on days when your swing isn’t perfectly dialed in.
“Golf is a game of minimizing big mistakes,” Kim says. “If you can avoid those big misses that lead to big numbers, you’re going to be in great shape. That’s what this strategy is all about.”
So next time you’re standing over an approach shot, take a moment to assess the situation. Where is the pin located? What’s the best way to attack this green and give yourself the highest probability of a good outcome?
By following Kim’s advice and being smart and strategic with your shot selection, you’ll be well on your way to shooting lower scores and enjoying the game even more.
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