Course Strategy · Strategy

Assess the lie before pulling a fairway wood

Before automatically reaching for a fairway wood on a long approach, assess the lie. If the ball has popped down and you can't get the club's loft to the bottom of it, even a perfect swing will top or thin the shot. On a poor lie, choose a higher-lofted club like a 5 or 6 hybrid and just advance it down the fairway rather than forcing the fairway wood.