Going through a protracted par-3? Why it is time to rethink your membership alternative

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com sequence during which we’re sharing enhancements, learnings and takeaways from novice golfers identical to you — together with a number of the pace bumps and challenges they confronted alongside the way in which.

Ed. Be aware: This text was printed in partnership with Cleveland/Srixon.

Do you know that the PGA Tour scoring average on par-3 holes is 3.06? Contemplating most novice golfers assume par-3s should be much easier than that, it would come as a shock.

Now right here’s some actual speak: Most amateurs don’t come near sniffing that rating on a par-3 — particularly when it’s an extended one which provides one other degree of issue to the equation. However simply since you’re standing on the tee field of a protracted par-3 doesn’t imply you simply want to simply accept bogey (or worse) as the result. Actually, all it’s a must to do is rethink your membership alternative.

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Ditch your 4- or 5-iron for a Hy-wood as a substitute

In a current lesson with golf teacher Jake Hutt, the 2 of us visited Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes — a shocking par-3 course with unimaginable views of the Pacific Ocean. However it additionally occurs to be one of the trickiest short courses I’ve ever performed, with windy situations usually making any shot a tough one.

Whereas Terranea has just a few holes that mean you can actually “go for it,” No. 8 requires you to hit a wonderful tee shot — however you have to truly get it there.

As Hutt describes within the video above, “that is a few 200-yard, par-3 gap. It’s terrifying!”

So what can a mid-handicapper like myself do to provide myself an actual probability at birdie? Use the suitable membership!

In circumstances like this, I usually select a 4- or 5-iron, hoping I can hit that good shot that results in my ball sitting inside 10 toes of the pin. However that’s quite a bit to ask for, so Hutt suggests switching to a Cleveland Launcher Halo XL Hy-Wood on longer par-3 holes like this.

“So we’re going to take this 4-iron and we’re going to throw it within the trash,” Hutt says. “As an alternative, I’m going to provide you this Cleveland Hy-Wooden.”

Previous to hitting my shot, I ask Hutt if there’s something in my setup or swing movement that I have to rethink now that I’m utilizing a stronger membership as a substitute of an iron.

“You’ll be able to put this a bit of additional ahead in your stance than you’ll an iron, which is able to assist get the ball up within the air, spin it a bit of bit extra, and make all the things a bit of bit simpler,” he says.

As I tackle the ball, I really feel extra assured about my membership alternative — primarily as a result of I now know I’ve the gap to a minimum of hit the inexperienced, so I don’t have to overswing to get it there. The results of the shot? A excessive draw that hits the suitable aspect of the inexperienced and makes use of the slope to funnel towards the pin.

In different phrases: Cooks kiss.

Whereas I hit my ball a tiny bit skinny, through the use of a Hy-Wooden as a substitute of a low-iron, I had extra forgiveness when it got here to my ball-striking because of the larger face.

“You’re going to get additional ball pace [with the Hy-Wood], a bit of extra pop off the face, and can get the ball up within the air and spinning it a bit of bit extra to carry the inexperienced,” Hutt says.

So as a substitute of being in-between golf equipment and hoping you hit the right shot, strive utilizing a Hy-Wooden to make issues simpler on your self.

“Nobody wants a 4-iron, nobody wants a 5-iron, what they do want is a Cleveland Hy-Wooden,” Hutt says.

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor