subject: How to Hit the Ball Off a Wall - Some Simple Golfing Pointers [print this page] How to Hit the Ball Off a Wall - Some Simple Golfing Pointers
Although a highly competitive sport at professional level, for us amateurs, golf is best seen as a game you play against yourself. Trying to iron out the imperfections and improve your overall play and consistency. Following are some simple instructions on how to cope with some of the great games situations.
How to hit the ball of a wall
As Miguel Angel Jimenez showed in this years British Open it is in some cases possible to turn a terrible lie close to a wall to your advantage by hitting the wall and let the ricochet land on the green.
Choose a club with large amount of loft to get the ball off the wall as high as possible. A seven iron is the minimum requirement but nine iron or a pitching wedge is the most common weapon of choice in this situation. The higher the ball hits the wall, the farther it will travel.
Try to play the ball in the middle of your stance. If you have no choice but to play close to your front foot beware of the follow through.
Carefully map out the ricochet. The ball will bounce off the wall at the same angle as you hit it so decide where you want the ball to land and adjust your aim accordingly. This shot works not unlike a bank shot in billiards.
Hit the ball with a punch shot to minimize the follow through. Position your hands in front of the ball and take the club away vertically. Make sure that you hit the ball and then the ground underneath the ball. This will create enough force the get the ball moving but will minimize the follow through.
Take notice that you cannot push, scrape or spoon the ball to improve the position. You must play the ball as it lies. If the ball comes of the wall and hits you, your equipment or caddy the penalty is two strokes. So make sure to remove all obstacles from the area. If your body is in the line of the shot it may be better to declare the ball unplayable and take a penalty.
Some walls on golf courses are considered "immovable obstruction" from which relief is available. Local rules apply in those instances.
