Obstacles & Hardships Irons Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Hitting out of the trees toward the fairway: Rickie Fowler

Name: Hitting out of the trees toward the fairway: Rickie Fowler
Uploaded: 2017-07-18T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 2 min 23 s
Channel: Rickie Fowler
Description: Did your ball end up under the trees, in the pine needles? In this short clip from Golf Digest, Rickie Fowler answers questions from Butch Harmon and explains how he gets back onto the fairway in one shot: a shorter grip, a narrow stance, and a relaxed swing—without trying to pull off a miracle shot.

Did your ball end up under the trees, in the pine needles? In this short clip from Golf Digest, Rickie Fowler answers questions from Butch Harmon and explains how he gets back onto the fairway in one shot: a shorter grip, a narrow stance, and a relaxed swing—without trying to pull off a miracle shot.

▶

Rickie Fowler · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

3 minSame problemHitting Over a Tree on the Golf Course: The Club Shaft TrickKarine Icher · Beginner / Intermediate 4 minNext Level UpJack Nicklaus's high shot: clearing the obstacleJack Nicklaus · Intermediate 15 minFrom the same proRickie Fowler's Green Reading, Step by StepRickie Fowler · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

The video opens with a humorous skit, then Rickie Fowler and Butch Harmon discuss a shot they often find challenging: the ball in the trees. For Rickie Fowler, you can sometimes be aggressive, but Most of the time, you just have to put the ball back into play. and search “the easiest way out”, here a little low running shot toward the fairway. Butch Harmon points out that amateurs who adopted this philosophy would get out of trouble far more often.

His method comes down to a few adjustments. First, the grip: he chokes down on the grip to stay over the ball, cover it, and control its trajectory, which stays low. Next, the body: on this unstable footing, The lower body remains fairly still and he isn't trying to hit it hard. Among the pine needles, he doesn't plant the club firmly on the ground with his full weight—he keeps it just touching the needles, to keep the ball from moving. Finally, he places feet a little narrow and slightly open. His last thought before hitting, with a smile: “Don’t hit a tree.”

The Exercise, Step by Step

Find the easiest way onto the fairway.
Choke down on the grip.
Set your feet a little narrow and slightly open.
Keep the club just touching the needles, without pressing down.
Stabilize your lower body.
Take a relaxed swing, without trying to generate power.

Key Takeaways

In the trees, the goal is to get the ball back into play.

Choose the easiest way out, often toward the fairway.

A shorter grip to cover the ball and maintain a low trajectory.

Stable lower body: the footing is unstable on the needles.

Club just touching the needles, feet narrow and open.

Mistakes to Avoid

Going for the hero shot through the branches.
Hitting hard on unstable footing.
Pressing the club into the needles and moving the ball.
Holding the club at the very end of the grip and losing control of the trajectory.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Short, low shots, choked-down grip, narrow stance
Half-speed swings while keeping the lower body still
Setting up over the ball without grounding the club

Your Questions

Should you aim for the green from among the trees?

Rickie Fowler explains that sometimes you can be aggressive, but most of the time it's better to look for the easiest way out and get the ball back on the fairway.

Why shorten the grip?

According to him, this helps you stay above the ball, cover it, and better control its trajectory.

Can you put the club down in the pine needles?

He doesn't press it down; he just keeps it in contact with the needles so as not to risk moving the ball.

How should I position myself?

Keep your stance a little narrow and slightly open, your lower body fairly still, and above all, don't swing hard on this unstable ground.

Learn More

All “Obstacles & Struggles” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Jack Nicklaus's high shot: clearing the obstacleTo hit the ball higher, Nicklaus keeps his usual swing, moves the ball forward, opens the clubface slightly, and then shifts his weight to his left foot instead of staying back. Chip shot from the thick rough—Adam Scott: Read the lieAdam Scott reads the lie by placing the club behind the ball, then plays either a standard bunker shot or a modified bunker shot with fixed wrists against the grain. Hitting Over a Tree on the Golf Course: The Club Shaft TrickPlace the clubface flat in front of the ball, with the shaft pointing toward the obstacle: the angle of the shaft indicates whether the ball will go over or under the trees. Rickie FowlerAll of his lessons

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