My Golf Blueprint
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MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Greenside recovery: choose the simplest exit

A blade putter lined up behind a golf ball on a putting green.
Photo: Peter Jacob Drew / Pexels

A difficult greenside lie asks for a realistic exit, not the most spectacular shot. Judge the lie, obstacle and amount of green before selecting a club.

Work through it

  1. Identify what the club can reach without striking an obstacle.
  2. Choose a landing area large enough for your likely spread.
  3. Compare putting, chipping and pitching routes.
  4. Accept a longer next putt when the alternative risks another recovery.

A practical example

From thick grass behind a bunker, aiming to the broad center may leave a long putt but remove the risk of staying in trouble.

Practice task

Place three balls in different permitted practice lies and choose a different safe landing area for each. Record whether the first shot reaches a manageable position.

Common mistakes

Do not use a high lob simply because the flag is close. Never swing near a person, root or hard obstruction when contact could injure you.

Choose a comfortable movement and change one variable at a time. Stop if a movement causes pain; a qualified coach can adapt the task to your mobility and experience.

Sources and further reading

Related video

Watch the demonstration, then return to the practice check in this guide.

Choose a chip for the lie and landing space

Keep learning

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