Do you play the same club from the same distance all the time? For example, you are sitting at 150 yards and likely hit a 7 iron 95 times out of 100. Have you ever thought of hitting a 6 iron to see what happens. I have discussed clubbing up on shots before in tough conditions in order to swing easier and under more control. This is kind of the same principle, but my thoughts are to club up during the same conditions that you want hit that 7 iron. My thoughts are that by having more than one option on approach shots and to expand your course management strategies.
I am suggesting that you hit a knock down shot or a punch shot. These are specialty shots required in specific conditions. What I am suggesting is hitting a shot as per normal, with two different clubs. When hitting the clubbed up shot, try hitting with a 3/4 swing. The ball should have the same trajectory during both swings, but the clubbed up shot is swung easier and likely under more control.
Yesterday, I was playing two balls for fun and found myself 100 yards from the green on the third hole. I decided to hit a gap wedge (100 yards) and a pitching wedge (120 yards). With the gap wedge I made a full swing and landed just short with my ball releasing onto the green. The pitching wedge landed in the same area of my first shot, but it released a bit farther onto the green. This is not unusual because my pitching wedge shot came in a bit hotter than the gap wedge. I knew this would happen and tried to adjust for it, but alas I was just off.
I find that clubbing up from time to time forces me to think more when playing my home course. It changes my course management strategies. This fun way to play differently is good for my game. To be fair, I did practice these shots on the range first, but found I never really understood the value of clubbing up until I put it into practice on the course. Clubbing up can open options for you as well.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I am a strong advocate of having different options for virtually any shot. Having the ability to hit the same club with a shorter swing comes in very handy and is one of the fundamentals of what my friends call “boring old man golf”. It is very useful in normal conditions and is especially important in adverse conditions.
As you know, I am a big proponent of playing with vintage clubs. Part of the allure for me is that playing hickory or classic equipment forces you to think and play with greater creativity. Modern golf in many ways has become one dimensional and there is benefit to creativity regardless of the equipment used.
There are many ways to learn these techniques, probably the easiest is to shorten your bag to 7-9 clubs. You might be surprised at how well you can score and of course it is a lot of fun.
As my 70th year approaches, I have embraced the benefits of a shorter and more controlled swing. Having more than full swing shots in my repertoire has been fun and resulted in better scores.
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Lorne,
You have said a mouthful for sure. I think that vintage clubs help in many ways including course management. Hitting to a distance is critical and you seem to have that “boring old man golf” down pat. 😉
Cheers Jim
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Those of us old enough to remember Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf presentations may remember like I do a particular lesson given by Annika Sorenstam. She advocated practicing hitting three clubs to every distance in that one. I don’t do it often enough with all my clubs but I do it a lot with 9 and below on the range out back. And having options is great on the course.
As for clubbing up, you know I’m a huge fan. Shorter swing lengths go astray less often. It’s as simple as that for me. From driver down to the wedges, that holds true. We’re playing the law of averages out there. It’s built into the game since we’re human and make mistakes. A mistake on a full swing goes farther wrong than a mistake with a shorter swing.
There are other good reasons for it too such as we can swing a little freer when we aren’t tensing up to smash it. It’s possible some could even learn to hit it farther by trying to hit it shorter. lol
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Kevin,
I remember the Anika video. It is great advice for sure. Using different clubs from the same distance is definitely a skill I have been working on over the past few years…..with success.
Cheers Jim
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