Tom F. Stickney II is the Director of Instruction and Business Development at Punta Mita, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre golf and beach resort located 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta on a beautiful peninsula surrounded by the Bay of Banderas on three sides. Amenities include two Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses with 14 holes directly on the water, a golf academy, four private beach clubs, a Four Seasons Hotel, a St. Regis Hotel, as well as multiple private villas and homesites available. Read on to learn about the importance of landing angle.
Whenever you have a short shot from the rough into the green, you must consider how you want the ball to react when it lands. Sometimes, it’s best to use a lower shot that releases or a higher shot that stops quicker. Landing angle is the key! If you hit the ball and it comes into the green at an angle below 45 degrees. it is going to run for the most part. If you hit the ball into the green with an angle above 45 degrees, it is going to stop much quicker on average.
People hardly consider what angle they will land the ball and seem surprised when the ball does not do what they want upon landing. Make it simple and consider your landing angle, and you will have a much easier time knowing what the ball will do when it hits the green. So how do you control your landing angle? Alter the club used, the ball position, or your shaft lean at impact and you will find that you can easily change how the ball approaches the landing zone.
Enjoy the newfound aspect to your short game!
For more information regarding Punta Mita, golf outings, golf schools and private lessons, e-mail tom.stickney@puntamita.com.
