[Management Section] For spring approaches, use the PW chipping technique to make a good score!

Pay attention to changes in wind direction and the lie of the ball.

The season is finally here! Even those who put golf on hold during the colder months are probably itching to play. This time, I'd like to share some tips for enjoying spring golf, based on my own experience.

As a tour caddie, I often visited tournament venues from the beginning of March, and I have the impression that spring is always windy. It's windy in winter too, but the wind in spring is strong in a different way. At first, a warm breeze will be blowing from the south, but then suddenly the wind direction will change and a cold north wind will be howling. The change in wind direction and temperature is quite significant.

When it's warm, your body moves better, so the ball flies about 10% further than in winter, and with irons, it goes about one club length further. On the other hand, because the ball goes higher, it's more susceptible to wind. When it gets cold, your body tenses up as much as in the middle of winter, making it harder to move, and the ball doesn't go as far.

Taking this into consideration, constantly pay attention to the wind direction to minimize mistakes in club selection and target setting. It's also important to dress in a way that allows you to easily adapt to temperature changes, such as wearing a down vest.

Another important point is to carefully check the lie of the ball before hitting an approach shot. In spring, the grass is often not yet fully grown, and the ground is not as hard as in winter. It is very difficult to hit the ball cleanly with a sand wedge, so in these situations, pros will use an approach wedge, pitching wedge, or 9-iron and hit a low, rolling shot. They frequently use pitch and run or running approaches, making it easier to put together a good score.

Even on the fairway, if you hit the ball at a sharp angle, the leading edge of the clubface can dig in, resulting in a big duff. If you judge that the lie of the ball is not very good, swing with the image of sweeping the ball rather than hitting it down.