Curve the Golf Ball on Scary Tee Shots

11 min
Added on March 15, 2021
The 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass is an extreme but great example of a challenge that many courses present. What do you do when there's nothing but trouble on one side of the hole? As Titleist staff member Michael Breed explains, there are two main approaches – aim at the trouble and work the ball away from trouble or aim away from trouble and work the ball towards it.

Both solutions involve purposely curving the golf ball. Why not just hit a straight shot? The answer lies in playing the odds. By aiming at one side of the hole and knowing that your ball WILL curve away from that side, you can essentially double the safe landing area for your shot. Even a bad miss, a ball that over-curves will still be playable, in the rough at worst.

In contrast, if you aim down the middle of the fairway and play a straight shot (the hardest shot to hit, by the way), a small miss left or right could put you in the rough. A big miss playing a straight shot at Sawgrass No. 18 will put you in jail or in the drink.

In this video, Michael shares the finer points in set-up, body alignment and club selection for both strategies when you face big trouble on one side of the hole. Which solution is right for your game? Try them both, but you'll probably find that one shape (left-to-right or right-to-left) is easier to pull off, especially under pressure. The big key is to practice that shot-shape until it's bullet-proof. Once you're able to eliminate any chance of a double-cross (a fade when you're trying to draw it or a draw when you're trying to fade it) you'll know that you can remove the fear factor on almost any tee shot.

Instruction

459 Videos

  1. Categories
  2. Long Game
  3. Iron Game
  4. Wedge Game
  5. Putting
  6. Mental Game
  7. Course Strategy
  8. Golf Fitness
  9. At Home
  1. Instructor
  2. Brad Faxon
  3. Dr. Mo Pickens
  4. Me and My Golf
  5. Peter Finch
  6. Cameron McCormick
  7. James Sieckmann
  8. Mark Blackburn
  9. Michael Breed
  10. Trillium Rose
  11. Jonathan Yarwood
  12. Dave Phillips
  13. Brandon Stooksbury
  14. Justin Parsons
  15. Phil Kenyon
  16. Joe Plecker
  17. Layne Savoie
  18. Dr. Rob Neal
  19. Dr. Greg Rose
  20. Skip Guss
  21. Jason Baile
  22. John Kostis
  23. Jennifer Hudson
  24. Ryan Hager
  25. Corey Lundberg
  26. Tom Patri
  1. Drill
  2. Speed and Power
  3. Fundamentals
  4. Swing Biomechanics
  5. Clubface Control
  6. Turf Interaction
  7. Consistency
  8. Trajectory
  9. Shot Shaping
  10. Bunker Play
Clear All Filters
Brad Faxon Putting I.Q. Test
user icon
2 min

Brad Faxon Putting I.Q. Test

Titleist staff member Brad Faxon poses a simple putting riddle to all the players he coaches. Picture two golf...

How Do You Shallow and Steepen Your Golf Swing?
New
user icon
3 min

How Do You Shallow and Steepen Your Golf Swing?

In this video, TPI co-founder Dave Phillips discusses planing mechanisms - the ways in which you can shallow or...

Titleist Tips: The High Splash Bunker Shot
user icon
2 min

Titleist Tips: The High Splash Bunker Shot

The bunker shot is said to be the easiest shot for tour pros, and yet it remains one of the hardest shots for...

Dial in Your Distance Wedges
user icon
7 min

Dial in Your Distance Wedges

Distance wedge shots (shots inside 120 yards or so) require three ingredients. First, you need to know how far away...

Max Out Your Wedge Spin by Understanding Spin Loft
user icon
2 min

Max Out Your Wedge Spin by Understanding Spin Loft

Spin Loft in golf is defined as the difference between the attack angle of the club and the loft of the club face...

The Data Behind Aldrich Potgieter’s TOUR-Leading Distance
Featured
user icon

The Data Behind Aldrich Potgieter’s TOUR-Leading Distance

At just 20 years old, Titleist Brand Ambassador Aldrich Potgieter is leading the PGA TOUR in average driving...

First Lesson Ever: Can Justin Parsons Help a 10 Handicap Break 80?
user icon
The Golfer's Journal
1 hr

First Lesson Ever: Can Justin Parsons Help a 10 Handicap Break 80?

TGJ Content Producer Alec Yoder has competed in the Olympics, but he’s never had a golf lesson. In his pursuit of...

Build a Reliable Pre-Shot Routine
user icon
4 min

Build a Reliable Pre-Shot Routine

To play your best, you need to think well on the golf course. Many dedicated players believe that this begins and...

Fine Tune Your Short Game Strategy
user icon
4 min

Fine Tune Your Short Game Strategy

In this video, Titleist staff member Michael Breed shares some of his keys to help you fine-tune your short game...

How to Increase Swing Speed in Your Golf Game
user icon
9 min

How to Increase Swing Speed in Your Golf Game

Adding speed to your golf swing can help you take your game to the next level. In this video, Lance Gill, President...

 How Understanding Rotation and Improving Sequence can Eliminate "Over the Top"
New
user icon

How Understanding Rotation and Improving Sequence can Eliminate "Over the Top"

TPI co-founder Dave Phillips explores one of the most common swing characteristics - "Over the Top". The ability to...

How to Start the Golf Swing Correctly with Pressure
user icon
7 min

How to Start the Golf Swing Correctly with Pressure

In this video Titleist staff member Joe Plecker uses Swing Catalyst Dual Motion Plates to discuss the crucial role...

Results loading...
No results