Common Recovery Shots Mistakes and Simple Fixes

Where it goes wrong

Most mistakes with recovery shots happen before the club moves. For a recovery shot, players choose a tiny window, the wrong club, or a shot shape they have not practiced. When the ball is in trouble, then they make a rushed swing and blame the technique.

Common fixes:

• With the next shot protected, use more loft when the ball must stop quickly.
• Before the hero gap tempts you, use less loft when roll is your friend.
• When the ball is in trouble, shorten the backswing before you slow the downswing.
• For a recovery shot, aim for the center of the window, not the prettiest finish.

Commit to one picture

Second-guessing ruins recovery speed. When the ball is in trouble, once you pick the landing spot and flight, make the swing that matches it. With the next shot protected, half-changing your mind at impact is how simple recoveries become second recoveries.

Measure success honestly

For recovery shots, success is not always on the green or beside the cup. Before the hero gap tempts you, sometimes it is a clean angle, a wedge in hand, or a putt instead of another hack from trouble.