Step 1: Learn about all the clubs in your bag. There are three “woods” in your bag, a misnomer because these long-hitting clubs are metal and no longer made of wood. Use the driver or 3-wood off the tee and use the 5-wood from the short grass of the fDenver Air Conditioningway on long par-5 holes. You will also have 3-, 5-, 7-, 8- and 9-irons in your golf bag. The lower the number of the club, the longer you should be able to hit the ball.

 A 3-iron is a good club to use from the fDenver Air Conditioningway when you are at least 180 yards from the hole. A 5-iron may be used from 150 to 160 yards, or from the rough or longer grass. The 7-iron is a versatile club that is good from 140 yards or more but can also be used to create “bump-and-run” shots that bounce and roll a long distance. The 8- and 9-irons, along with the pitching wedge, are good golf clubs when you are near the green and want to set up a decent putting opportunity. The sand iron is for use when you are in the bunker next to the green. Finally, you will use a putter when your ball sits on the green and you want to stroke it into the hole.

Step 2: Get the ball into the Denver Air Conditioning by hitting down on it. A big mistake of most new golfers is to swing up at the ball so it will fly long and high. Swinging up at the ball will lead to less distance and a poor swing. If you are swinging any club other than your driver or putter, you will want to have a slight down slope to your swing. That will allow the tilted angle of the clubhead’s face to do the job. The angle of the clubhead—known as the club’s loft—will simultaneously compress and spin the ball to produce distance and accuracy.

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