The Landing zone ladder: a smarter way to plan approach shots

One of the biggest mistakes golfers make on approach shots is automatically aiming at the flag. The flag may look like the obvious target - but it isn’t always the smartest one.

The Landing Zone Ladder gives you three choices before every approach shot:

1.Short-Safe
Choose the front portion of the green when trouble is long, the wind is helping, or the green becomes more difficult toward the back.

2.Center-Safe
When there is no major reason to favor short or long, play toward the center of the green. For most golfers, this should be the default choice.

3.Long-Safe
Choose the back portion when trouble is short, you’re playing into the wind, or the shape of the green makes the back the safer landing area.

HOW TO USE THE LADDER

Before selecting your club, look at three things:

Trouble: Where is the bunker, water, deep rough, or difficult recovery?

Wind: Will the wind help the ball carry farther or cause it to come up short?

Green Shape: Is there more room short, center, or long?

Then choose the safest rung on your ladder-Short-Safe, Center-Safe, or Long-Safe - and select the club that gives you the best chance of landing there.

STOP CHASING FLAGS

Good course management isn’t about playing defensively. It’s about giving yourself better opportunities.

You don’t need to hit every approach shot close. You need to him more greens and leave yourself easier next shots.

The next time you’re standing in the fairway, don’t ask, “How close can I hit it?”

Ask:

“Which landing zone give me the best chance to score?”

That simple decision can turn a difficult approach into a much smarter golf shot.

Jim Powers, PGA Life Member
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