A blind shot in golf can be one of the most difficult shots for any golfer. Over the years, I have had my share of blind shots with mixed success. That is until I realized a fool proof way to play my shot blind. It actually is not difficult, but it does take a bit more mental toughness than one would think.

Before I go onto how I think I developed my blind shot method, I think it would be fun to show you one of the best blind shots I have seen:

Just so we are all talking about the same thing: any shot where the golfer is unable to see the target, whether the target is the green or merely the fairway.

My process is simple and it never wavers. From my earlier days I followed this process in a vague manner, but after realizing that where I was failing, I am confident that any blind shot will not cause me challenges as it did in the past.

1. I determine if I can make a shot to the green or have to lay up in the fairway. This decision is determined my ball position and what obstacles are in the way. Some blind shots are simpler than others, but determining my eventual finishing point is a very important first step.
2. I align my shot to where I believe my flight path will follow by standing behind the ball. I move right or left behind the ball to find my line, then I pick an aim target as far from the ball as possible. Sometimes that is a few yards to far off into the distance.
3. I select the club that will travel the distance I determined from step one.
4. I align my feet to follow my chosen ball direction. I pay special attention to this step because it will determine my success and failure of my blind shot.
5. I mentally commit to the shot. In the past, this is where my process was the weakest. Once I decide the distance and line needed, I commit to making the shot. In the past (and even now) this is where my failures were the most prevalent.
6. Lastly, I accept the results. Most of the time I a happy with where my ball finishes, but from time to time my shot is an epic failure.

I never dwell on the results of my blind shots. I trust my process and use it without fail. On the 12th hole of Osprey Links, I hit a blind shot 75% of the time. The green is 75 feet below the crest of the fairway and unless I hit my ball to edge (every challenging shot) the resulting second shot will be blind. The distance to the green is easily reachable, but wind plays a very tricky from the top of the hill; so picking the proper club can be challenging. Therefore, I aim to point past the green, but up high enough to have a decent aim point. Lastly, committing to the shot will make or break my success. My intent is to always hit the green, unfortunately lack of commitment is the root cause of my failures.

Hitting a blind shot in golf is not difficult if you follow proven process. The one I described is proven for my game and easily adaptable to anyone’s game. If you do not have a process, try mine. It might work for you, but if nothing else you will have a process to follow and modify.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!