Golf Tips:
Fairway Woods by Mel Sole

Mel Sole, GolfTexas.com Staff Instructor
Golf Magazine Top 25 Instructor

Visit his golf schools at Ritson-Sole.com and TotalGolfAcademy.com.

Question:
I have a difficult time getting the ball up in the air with my fairway woods, what can I do ?

Fairway Woods

Most golfers have trouble with fairway woods because they try one of two things.  They treat the shot the same way as they would their driver - its a wood right ? so swing it the same way ? - No

Or, they try to lift the ball off the ground, usually either collapsing their left arm (for right handed golfers) or straightening up in an effort to get the ball airborne.  Both efforts result in either a topped shot , see my article on how to prevent topping , or hitting a low ball off the bottom of the club that does not get much height.

So lets cover what we should be doing with the fairway woods.

Picture #1

1.  Ball position - This is usually the main culprit for bad fairway shots.  In picture #1 I am in the address position with a fairway wood.  The ball position is directly opposite my left heel.  With a normal golf swing this represents the bottom of my arc, exactly where I want to make contact with the ball.

2. Go ahead an make a swing making sure you get the feeling of driving the ball forward and not up. This is accomplished by keeping the clubhead low and long through the hitting area as in picture #2.

Picture #2

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