The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Fairway Woods Wood Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Right-Foot Heel Drill with Fairway Wood: Brush Shot

The fairway wood is a challenging club, useful on the fairway for second shots on par-5 holes or for teeing off from a low tee. This Decathlon tutorial for advanced players, from the Inesis Golf Academy designed by Patrice Amadieu, explains the setup and an exercise for hitting it well.

▶
Patrice Amadieu
Patrice Amadieu · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

6 minSame problemHow to Hit Your 3 Wood Off the Fairway, Not Like Off a TeeRick Shiels · Intermediate13 minSame problemFairway Woods: Arm Extension to Stop Topping ItEric Cogorno · Intermediate2 minFrom the same proPre-shot routine in golf: Patrice Amadieu's 3-step processPatrice Amadieu · Expert

What the lesson shows

The tutorial distinguishes between fairway woods and hybrids: The wood is played with a slightly upward angle of attack, it's a brush shot. At address, the ball in front of the inner third of the feet, the sternum slightly behind the ball and a wide stance. At impact, the goal is to let the sole slide, with a slightly upward ball strike. The secret, according to the tutorial, is to focus on the rhythm, using a three-count swing.

The proposed exercise: Place a sand wedge under your right heel and swing at 80% of your maximum speed, keeping your heel on the club for as long as possible. This creates a gliding, upward contact with the ball. Since the fairway wood remains a challenging club, the tutorial recommends spending time at the driving range to build confidence.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Place the ball in front of the left third of your feet, with a wide stance.
  2. Keep your sternum slightly behind the ball.
  3. Place a sand wedge on the ground and position your right heel on top of it.
  4. Swing at 80% of your maximum speed, keeping your heel on the club for as long as possible.
  5. Focus on the rhythm—in three beats—and on the sole of your foot gliding through the impact zone.

Key Takeaways

The fairway wood has a slightly upward trajectory, unlike the hybrid.
Ball positioned in front of the inner third of the feet, wide stance.
Sternum slightly behind the ball.
The sole slides in the impact zone: a brush shot.
Keep your right heel on the ground for as long as possible.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Hit the fairway wood on the downhill shot, just like a hybrid.
  • Lifting the right heel too early.
  • Swing at full speed instead of trying to find the rhythm.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Right-heel exercise using a sand wedge, at 80% speed
  2. Three-beat swings for the rhythm
  3. A set of fairway woods at the driving range to build confidence

Your Questions

What is the difference between a fairway wood and a hybrid?

According to this tutorial, a fairway wood is played with a slightly upward angle of attack and a brushed swing, which sets it apart from a hybrid.

How do you set up at address for a shot with a fairway wood?

Position the ball in front of the inner third of your feet, with your sternum slightly behind the ball and a wide stance.

What is the purpose of the right heel exercise?

Keeping your right heel on the sand wedge for as long as possible, while taking an 80% swing, helps you make a gliding, upward contact with the ball.

Learn More

All “Fairway wood” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Forearms aligned with the fairway wood: consistent contactBefore swinging: check the lie, adjust the distance with your arms relaxed, align your forearms with the clubface, then take a smooth “one and two” swing. Hitting Your Hybrid: Aim for a tee in front of the ballAgainst the top and hybrid-style chicken wing: keep your chest facing the ground and the clubhead close to the ground until you reach a tee placed in front of the ball. How to Hit Your 3 Wood Off the Fairway, Not Like Off a TeeDon't hit the 3-wood from the fairway the same way you would from the tee: position the ball a little more toward the center, keep your sternum above the ball, and make a small divot right behind the ball. Patrice AmadieuAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Patrice Amadieu). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros