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Instruction


Armed and Ready: Three Super Shots from the Sand to Tackle the NEW Poppy Hills


1. Long Ball Blast


THE BRIEF You’re not dead at the new Poppy Hills just because you have missed the fairway. Shots from the fi rm and sandy forest fl oor are a lot easier than you might think.


THE WEAPONS Our waste areas are com- prised of shallow terrain, so don’t worry about having to launch over tall mounds or bunker lips. Set your sights on a safe target and select any club you would be comfortable hitting from


the fairway. Although it’s possible to hit a wood out of this stuff, you’ll fi nd your most consistent shots will come from your favorite mid-iron or trusty hybrid.


THE EXECUTION The key is all in the contact. Make sure your setup promotes a clean, ball-fi rst strike. Place the ball in the center of your stance, with your weight favoring your front foot. Grip down about an inch on the shaft and set your focus toward the front or target side of the ball. When it comes to long shots, catching the ball a little thin is better than taking too much sand. Finish by making a


controlled swing at about 60% of your full capac- ity. This will help keep


Long Ball Blast: Place the ball in the center of your stance, with your weight favoring your front foot. Notice that since I am in a natural sandy area, as defi ned by dark brown sand, I am allowed to ground my club.


Mid-Range Magic: Take your pitching wedge, 9- or 8-iron and open the face a little. Opening the face on any club adds a little “bounce,” regulating how much the club can dig into the sand.


your feet balanced on the unstable surface, promoting a perfect strike.


2. Mid-Range Magic


THE BRIEF Inside 100 yards, the new Poppy Hills gives you some options, which can make these shots a lot of fun if you’re willing to get creative.


THE WEAPONS For mid-range approaches, you can either aim to pick it clean or opt for more of a “blast” type shot using a non-traditional bunker club. If your choice is to play


straight forward, consider selecting one club more than your yardage suggests. This will ensure that you’ll safely carry any obstacles in case of a less-than-perfect strike.


72 / NCGA.ORG / SPRING 2014


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