Mike Davis: Shot Option

In this article, we will explore the best shot options for playing a short approach shot that is around 80 to 100 yards. Mike Davis, the director of instruction at Royal Links in Las Vegas, shares his expertise on this topic. As a course that replicates famous holes from British Open rotation courses, Royal Links requires players to use punt shots or low shots, making Mike’s insights valuable for golfers looking to improve their game. Mike Davis discusses three shot options for short approach shots: a full swing with a lob wedge, a three-quarter swing with a sand wedge, and a punt shot with a pitching wedge. Each shot is designed to cover the same distance, but they have different characteristics and advantages. The first option is a full swing with a lob wedge, which Mike hits about 80 to 85 yards. However, he mentions that using a club with a lot of loft, like a lob wedge , can lead to inconsistency in contact. It’s difficult to hit the ball square with a club face that has a lot of loft. Despite this challenge, a full swing with a lob wedge can provide more distance and height on the shot. The second option is a three-quarter swing with a sand wedge. Mike explains that this shot requires a slightly smaller swing, stabilizing the weight and only going about shoulder high on both sides. The sand wedge shot comes in lower and lands a little bit short of the pin....