Every golfer faces a challenging shot while playing golf. It comes in all forms regardless of our best intentions. Depending on the course you play, there may be a plethora of golf shots that each of us would consider difficult. At my home course of Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort, the six hole from the back tees offers a great challenge to my game. Others may not find it a challenge, but I sure do. The funny thing is that it is others may not see the same issues because this hole fits perfectly to their game. Let me explain.
The par three hole plays about 170 yards. The club I can use ranges from a 7 iron to 5 iron depending on the wind. The tee box is tucked to the right and I have to shape the ball left to right to hit the center of the green. The challenge for me is that I normally hit the ball straight or draw the ball slightly with those irons. Hence, a difficult shot to play. Additionally, if I flush my shot straight, it will fly into the creek the runs behind the green. Overall, this particular shot poses some unique tests to my game.
If you are wondering, the center of the green is on the right behind the bushes. You can see the corner of a shelter that is directly behind the green and is often used as target from the white tee boxes. Looking at the picture, the large tree in the middle of the picture is way left of the green and offers a potential trap that brings deep rough and the creek in play. Don’t forget the branches hanging over the edge of the forest that definitely come into play. At 170 yards, this is no easy shot as a par three.
Fortunately, over the years of playing Mattawa I have developed a strategy that seems to work. I hit stinger shot with my 6 iron. I accept that I may not make the green, however all the other options seem to increase my risk of making a poor shot. And, surprisingly, my 6 iron stinger fades a bit. I am not sure why this happens, however it is what it is and I accept the ball flight. With my 6 iron, my aim point is between the big tree mention earlier and the roof of the shed. With a bit of a fade, I usually catch some part of the green or I am left with an easy chip.
Playing tough golf shots is a challenge. I many cases, it takes me a few tries to figure out what the best shot will be to suit my game. On a side note, if I am playing a course for the first time, I pay particular attention to shots like these for future reference. Every golfer faces their own unique challenges when making any golf shot. It is up to you to decide what shot you have in your bag that works best for your game.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I can remember a time when the sightline in that picture would have had my knees knocking over the ball. lol I really hated having only one shot shape available to me. My home course had not one but three holes where I was in bad shape trying to get something in play because a big draw was the only shot I had.
Hey, I’ve got an option for you I bet you didn’t think of. It’s a shot I know I can do because I try it twice almost daily on our number 10. On your course it would be both easier and harder because unlike mine, you can see the flag. lol
On our number ten it’s a dogleg right. It’s only 180 from the tips as the crow flies. But to get there, you have to be able to get the ball up very high, very fast, and keep it there to clear the trees on the other side too. Now I’ve teed up a 5 hybrid high, I mean 2 inches off the ground high and hit up on it and got there, but boy that’s not a shot that gives you confidence. Tee’d that high you can’t be consistent with that small a clubhead. But it is very possible, almost easy even (with the right technique) to slice a driver over and only carry 180. Or 170 if the tees are up.
I’m gripping at the bottom of the grip. I took my grip with the club face wide open. And I’m swinging up and around with the balled tee up so high that the tee barely can hold the ball straight. And I’m swinging hard. The ball flies up, starts slicing as it climbs and rolls over after clearing both the lines of trees we can see and the ones on the other side that we can’t and all of them in between.
This is a skins game btw and we have taken to giving everyone two shots on that hole. And at least one day a week I’m leaving both shots on a green I can’t even see. I’ve done it enough that I don’t need to anymore. So I am sure I can lift one over that tree on the far left. The close one. Send it soaring out toward those trees in the distance and watch it bend back to the green and not go long. lol
I’m not sayin that the shot to try. But you should try it sometime. It’s fun. Hitting shots is what brings me back every day to the course. It’s the fun part of the game to me. All that said, I’d hit the 6 hybrid for that shot. It just wants to fly straight and high and land soft. It’s point and shoot. Not as much fun as some of the other clubs in my bag, but it fills a need and would work just fine for the shot you’re showing us.
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Kevin,
That shot does sound fun. I will give it a try one of these times I head out. Definitely playing skins is different than normal stroke play…..your game has more pressure. 😉 Thanks for the tip!
Cheers Jim
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