Recovery shots
Drills to Improve Recovery Shots
Practice games that teach recovery shots with feedback you can see and feel.
Build the window
When the ball is in trouble, set two alignment sticks, headcovers, or range baskets as a window. Before the hero gap tempts you, your job is to send the ball through it with the correct height and speed. For a recovery shot, start easy, then narrow the window only when you can repeat the strike.
Three drills to rotate
- With the next shot protected, landing towel: land five balls on or near a towel.
- For a recovery shot, trajectory ladder: hit low, medium, and higher versions with the same club.
- Before the hero gap tempts you, one-ball escape: drop one ball in a bad lie and play it as if the score counts.
Keep the finish quiet
The finish shows whether you stayed organized. When the ball is in trouble, if your body is falling away or your hands flip at the ball, simplify the shot. Better recovery shots usually feel smaller than golfers expect.