[Kim Haneul's FunFun Golf] When There Is No Grass Around the Green

Choose a putter or 9-iron within one step
Recommend pitching wedge or 52-degree for over three steps
Ball in front of right foot, hands first, body rotation swing

This year has been a challenging one for golf course maintenance. Due to frequent rain during the heatwave, many parts of the course have been damaged. In particular, you can often see areas around the greens where the grass is missing. So, what should you do in such cases? Today, we will discuss how to approach the green when there is no grass.

If the area around the green is close to bare ground, you should never attempt a lofted shot. When the ball is near the green, choosing a putter can be a good option. I have a personal guideline for when to use a putter. First, check the distance. The distance from the entrance of the green to your ball should not be far. If it is about one step away, I always take out the putter. However, if it is more than three steps away, using a putter becomes difficult. For beginners, using a 9-iron is not a bad choice. You can simply roll the ball as if putting.

Once you gain some experience, you might use a wedge even in areas without grass. Club selection is important here as well. If the distance is moderate, I recommend a pitching wedge or a 52-degree wedge. These allow the ball to move forward even if the contact is not as precise as with a 58-degree wedge.

When performing a running approach, place the ball in front of your right foot. When you grip the club, your hands naturally move ahead of the clubhead. This is called a hand-first position. If you do not maintain a hand-first position at address, it is meaningless. To achieve a perfect hand-first position, your hands should be close to your left thigh.

Make your stance narrower than usual. During the downswing, keep the wrist cock as it is. You must maintain the wrist angle throughout the swing. This is essential to achieve accurate contact and distance control. Also, when approaching, do not use only your hands; rotate your body naturally while striking. A former 14-time winner on the Korea-Japan Tour and sportainer

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