Add some shapes to your game

Tough pin positions demand creative shots. If you fire the ball straight at the flag you can easily miss it on the wrong side, giving you a difficult second shot. The professionals aim for the middle of the green then shape the shots towards the pin, which often gives them a chance of holing the ball or making putting a lot easier.

Hit a Fade

Hitting a left to right shot is all about changing your body alignment at address. The clubhead itself must stay square to target. To hit a typical fade, you should aim your feet some 10 or 15 yards left of the target. The key is then to swing the club along your body line - not at the target.

Swinging along the line of your stance with as normal and natural a swing as you can muster to force the ball flight along the line of your feet right on the target line.

By having the right set-up, you should have to do very little through impact with your hands to make the ball move - this is the most consistent way to hit a fade.

Hitting a Draw

To hit a right to left shot reverse the process for playing a fade - align your body right of target, keep the clubface square and swing along the line of your feet.

Move the ball an inch further back in your stance. This will help you hit the ball more from the inside, while still swinging along the line of your feet.

With these shots you must commit to the swing. If you don't you will end up pulling the ball left when hitting a fade and pushing it right when trying to hit a draw.

Make a solid turn, complete your backswing and accelerate through the ball with a natural , even tempo. Don't quit on this shot, you have to believe in yourself.

Hitting the ball high and low

These skills are useful in windy conditions. You can gain extra yards by launching the ball high downwind and protect your score by keeping it low into the breeze. But high shots aren't just for windy days. If the flag is at the front of the green, or if the putting surface is firm hit the ball high. If the flag is at the back, punch the ball lower to make use of the extra room on the green to get the ball close to the hole.

For a high shot, place the ball forward in your stance to try and catch the ball on the upswing. Place slightly more weight on your right side at address.

For a low, punch shot into a green or into wind, drop the ball back into your stance and hold your wrist angle for longer on the downswing. Hold a low finish position, driving the club through the ball, keeping it low. A shortened follow-through and a positive acceleration through impact will help keep the ball low.