Golfers spend more shots from 40 yards in than anywhere on the golf course. I'm going to give you a tip here that is going to help save some shots with your game.

How to Approach 40 Yard Shots

I'm only about 40 yards from the hole and most people would take out a sand wedge here, pitch the ball in the air, hope that they flew it the right distance and then guess whether or not it is going to stop. Well there is a different way to play this shot, an alternative like a British Open shot, or a shot we play in Texas a lot called the Texas wedge. I'm going to run the ball up.

When to Use the Texas Wedge Technique

I can do it because I have a relatively flat surface, the grass is good and it's easier to judge how far I am going to hit it if I keep the ball along the ground. It's always easier to putt than it is to pitch, and this is closer to a put. I am going to use a chipping technique: ball is back in my stance, my hands are forward, my weight is on the left side, and all I am going to try to do is fly the ball about halfway to the green and let it roll the rest of the way to the hole.

The theory is kind of like the same in chipping, your worst chip will be better than your worst pitch. There's no reason to put the ball in the air if you don't have to. Use a firm wristed stroke, arms back and through, run it right up the gap. You'll find that you'll get more good shots when you keep the ball closer to the ground. So whenever you can run it as opposed to flying it.