THE RISKY PITCH?

Now here is a situation that is just crying out for some sensible course management and execution. This is the short par-4 9th at the lovely Stoneham GC, Hants, and after a good drive I'm just 50 yards from the hole. But the greenkeeper has defended the hole well, placing the pin on the far left and dangerously close to a deep drop that offers precisely zero chance of an up-and-down. Any golfer in this situation is faced with a dilemma: we can spot a sucker pin when we see one, but at the same time we don't want to abandon all hope of getting down in two more by playing ultra-safe. So here is a plan for the shot that offers some cautious aggression. Keep it in mind for when you're next faced with a risky pitch.

- STEVE TILEY

Note: Left-handers, please picture a mirror image of this shot with the pin cut on the far right.

KEY CONCEPT: QUIETEN DOWN THE FACE

Our inclination here is to see a right-to-left shot, starting out towards the safety of the green. While this seems the safer option, I'd argue it's potentially the more risky. By playing out to the right, we start to build the thoughts and feels of a more drawing or hooking action and release; and with that trouble so close to the left, we can't risk any sort of execution that could see the clubface roll shut. So let's flip this and picture a fading shot that starts just right of the pin, before curving gently right and away from trouble. This approach can still leave a makeable putt and better still, the ball will stop quickly on landing. Follow these three steps...

HOW TO PLAY IT

1. SETUP

Open your stance