Should you shape your golf shots or just hit it straight?

Love the dark sky, so cool to be able to see the changes in shot shapes in trajectories. I'm a big believer in NOT moving the ball around too much, and you can see that in these 4 shots. When I curve the ball it isn't much at all - I like for it to "fall" one direction or the other when shaping it.

Why?

Simple really, I don't practice much. I hit about 20-30 balls a couple times per month on average throughout the year. If I was trying to hit all "9 shots", that means I'd hit each shot about 3 times a session! Of course, that's no where near enough to be proficient at them.

So, I try to keep the ball very straight 99% of the time and only shape it when I absolutely have to. This way, my limited practice time isn't divided on so many different shots.

Many golfers think you have to have mastery over all 9 shots to play scratch golf and it's simply not true. I'm a +3 and shape the ball only when necessary. I will change trajectory on windy days, but even that is not that significant.

My advice if you're wanting to become a better player - learn one shot and master it. You're probably more like me with limited practice time than a tour pro who can hit shots and practice for 8 hours a day and that means there's simply not enough time to be able to master controlling distance with so many different shots and distance control is everything with your irons.

Always shoot for being pin high by hitting it solid first and you'll do that more often when you pick one shot and master it.

[travisjaggers]

Great swing. It’s so synchronized you really can’t tell if it’s starting with lower body rotation or a wrist throw. Well done 👍🏻

[mikekinney]

Shaping shots is fun but for scoring I would just hit it straight.