How to handle tight lies

Summer is a great time in the Pacific Northwest.  I feel May through October that there is not a better place to be.  Many wonderful activities and great golf.  

I’ve had some fun things this summer.  Good tournaments, golf schools and players doing well with their games.

Golfers at any level miss greens.  From a club golfer to a PGA Tour player.  The finest players in the world average at best 14/18 greens per round.  We all rely on our short game to “save shots” in any round of golf that we play.

Most golfers work on their pitching, bunker play and putting as an after thought walking from the range to the first tee.  I have found scoring success if I spend time around and on the practice green before I hit a full shot on the practice tee.  

Many clients express their challenges to me pitching and chipping.  They get especially challenged pitching off the closely mown areas.  This is commonly known as a tight lie.

First off, if someone has struggles with the “tight lie,” use your putter.  Practice this shot.  Second, if you struggle use a hybrid.  Practice this shot.  Many fine golfers use these two shots.

Now, when using any kind of wedge around the green off a “tight lie” start with a proper set up.  On a short pitch “lean left” at address.  Make sure your chest, spine and nose is on top of or slightly in front of the ball.  Most golfers who struggle are set up tilted behind the ball. These golfers struggle hitting the ball solid and hit fat and thin shots.  Include in your set up choke down the shaft and narrow your stance for control.

Secondly, during the stroke keep your spine, chest and nose on or in front of the ball; stay left, weight left throughout the stroke.  Never fall back.  I stress start left; stay left; finish left.  (photo 1, 2)

Notice how I rotate my body through the ball at the finish.  This is like an underhand toss.  Notice the triangle of my arms and chest move together as I turn through the ball. Chest, arms and belt turn together!  I focus on the club head taking out the roots of the grass not just skimming the tops of the blades of grass.

Finally, on a “tight lie” get closer to the ball.  Get “uptight” to the ball with your hands higher at address.  Conversely, out of the rough around the greens lower your hands and get further from the ball to use bounce of your wedge.

      Jeff Coston has played the PGA Tour, Web.com and Champions Tour.  He is a multiple Pacific Northwest PGA Player of the Year and is in the PGA Hall of Fame.  Jeff can be reached for appointment year round by calling S360.201.4590. See  www.jeffcoston.com for more.