Some golfers get up on the tee and crush the ball. Some have the best success with irons. You will also find strong chippers and putters out on the fairways and greens. The golfers able to master all or most of these skills are the ones you find playing for money on the PGA Tour.
Big Hitter
Crushing the ball off the tee is the best way to avoid trouble if your long irons are not a strong suit. You don't have to be as powerful out of the box as John Daly and launch 400-yard drives, but proper form helps the big hitter cover plenty of real estate. Golfers capable of hitting the farthest tee shots typically get full arm extension and capably distribute weight from the back leg to the front leg on the swing.
Iron it Out
Hitting the driver far and straight off the tee is the best way to get a hole started, but not every golfer is able to control the wood clubs and make an effective first shot. Many rely on long irons to cover long distances on the golf course. The 1- through 5-iron are the long iron, and they are effective with proper form. The shafts are longer on these clubs, so the golfer needs to stand farther away from before starting the swing. The good long iron hitters are the ones that make contact just under the ball while avoiding hitting too much of the ground.
Short Stuff
Hitting the green on a drive or with a long iron is the ultimate goal in golf. More often than not, the ball has to be chipped on to the green, and golfers with a strong short game can make up for their lack of distance off the tee or from the fairway. An estimated 60 percent of all golf shots are taken within 100 yards of the green, so accuracy is critical for a low score. Knowing how to pitch and run with clubs like the 9-iron and wedge can shave several strokes off a round.
Putt Putt
Putting can look so easy. But unlike popular putt-putt courses featuring windmills and other diversions, golfers on a regulation course are well aware it's a difficult skill to master. Every green has different slopes and texture, so you need to read the likely breaks to the hole before getting into your stance. The good putters read and then use a smooth stroke to ensure the ball is not hit too hard or too soft. Strong putting allows a golfer to overcome deficiencies off the tee, with long irons or in the short game.
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