It's U.S. Open week and to help celebrate the 119th edition of our National Championship, we're happy to present some exclusive golf instruction, all related to the unique challenges players will face at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is hosting the U.S. Open for the sixth time. These U.S. Open tips come to us courtesy of some of the finest teachers in the game – all of whom, we're proud to say, are Titleist staff members.
We hope you enjoy the video above from Skip Guss, and for additional tips to help you play your best on demanding tracks like Pebble Beach, check out the following:
Layne Savoie - Flighted Wedge Shot on No. 7 at Pebble Beach
Justin Parsons: The Tee Shot on No. 18 at Pebble Beach
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Controlling Trajectory with Your Irons
The greens at Pebble Beach Golf Links are the smallest that players will face on the PGA Tour this year, averaging less than 3,500 square feet in area. That's nearly half the PGA Tour average of 6,000 sq. ft. per green. Hitting such tiny targets will put a premium on the iron game at this week's U.S. Open and as Titleist staff member Skip Guss tells us in the tip above, the key to strong iron play is controlling trajectory.
Being able to flight the ball high or low is critical for playing in the wind, which can gust upwards of 30-40 mph at Pebble Beach. But trajectory control is important even in calm conditions, as this skill is a key to hitting your irons precise distances. Even if you push or pull an approach shot slightly, if you're hitting your irons predictable distances, you're going to hit a lot of greens. And you're going to have a lot of good looks at birdie.
The next time you play, try to alter the height of your iron shots using Skip's three keys – Setup, Arms and Eyes. Let us know if this helps you to attack a few more pins!
To learn more about Skip and the instructional programs he offers, visit the GolfRite Academy website. Check out Skip on Instagram and Facebook, too!
FUN FACT: Some of the largest greens in major golf can be found at the Old Course at St. Andrews. In fact, you could fit nearly four Pebble Beach greens into one green at St. Andrews, where the average green is 13,600 square feet in area.
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