[PHOTO: Rob Carr/Getty Images]
Even though they have something of a bad stigma, there are certain times when laying up is the best—and only—option for amateur golfers. Like when there’s a hazard that you have no chance of carrying, or need some medicine-taking after a wayward drive. Maybe it’s just a simple position play on a long hole.
Which is why it’s so frustrating when you try to do the smart, mature, safe thing and hit a lay-up shot, and then screw it up. So, that’s the topic we decided to tackle.
How to not screw up a lay-up shot
1. Commit, commit, commit
A lay-up is an inherently defensive shot, and one that obviously travels shorter. But that mindset can often lead to botching the shot itself. Pick a small target, and focus on it intently. Commit to hitting a great shot, even if it’s not going to end near the pin.
2. Think of it like a big bump-and-run
One common mistake I often make during lay-ups is swinging too hard. It really helps me to think of lay-up shots as big bump-and-runs. It’s going to spend a little time in the air, and more time on the ground. I’m not trying to smash bump-and-run; I’m trying to hit it a specific distance.
3. Find your height ‘window’
Too high can make for disastrous lay-up shots. Especially if you’re navigating around a hole with trees, or lots of wind. Before you decide which club you’re going to use to lay up, think about what height window you want your ball to fly through. It will make that task a lot easier.
Photo: Ryan Lochhead/PGA of America
4. Know your key three distances
When you’re hitting your lay-up shot, you want to calculate three distances:
- What distance do you want in for your next shot?
- What distance will it take to get there?
- What is the maximum distance you can hit it without getting into trouble?
That last one is important. You don’t want a lay-up rolling through the fairway, or into the water. Any club you pick needs to fit all of those of those boxes.
5. Don’t get greedy
Pretty self-explanatory. This is a lay-up shot. Don’t be a hero, because you can’t be on this shot.
