If every golf hole was straight with the green visible from the tee, it would detract from the game. Some might even say golf could get boring. That’s where dogleg holes come into play. They make golf courses more interesting and add a layer of strategy to the game. Here are some details and strategies to help you better play a dogleg hole.
What Is A Dogleg Hole in Golf?
A dogleg is a golf hole that bends to the left or right. The bend often occurs in the fairway about halfway between tee and green. It forces players to strategically position their tee shots for the best approach to the green.
Unlike straight holes, where a straight drive is typically best, a straight tee shot on a dogleg can sometimes lead to trouble. You may end up blocked by trees, hazards or rough.
In the case of a severe dogleg, the green may be completely hidden from view when you’re standing on the tee due to the angle of the hole. Doglegs require players to carefully assess distance, aim and shot shape to navigate the bend and play the hole correctly.
Dogleg strategies
The dogleg layout forces you to navigate the corner at some point. For some players, this means laying up a little short to hit a second shot around the corner.
Other players try to shape their tee shots to shave a few yards off the hole.
A poorly planned tee shot on a dogleg will leave you blocked out from the hole.
Common mistakes players make:
- Trying to cut off too much off the corner without knowing the carry distances
- Misjudging how far the dogleg bend is from the tee
- Ignoring your natural shot shape (fade/draw) and trying to force something
The key to a successful tee shot on a dogleg hole
Some golf courses have severe doglegs with tight tree-lined fairways. Others offer a wide-open look where you won’t have to be so precise in your strategy. Either way, you’ll want to nail your tee shot using these tips.
- Use your GPS or rangefinder to determine exactly how far you need to hit the ball to give yourself a clear shot at the green.
- If you plan on shaping the tee shot (fade/draw), visualize exactly where the ball will start and how far it will turn.
- Use your natural ball flight. If you draw the ball and are playing a dogleg left, swing at it confidently and cut off some of the corner. If you are playing a dogleg right (with a draw ball flight), play smart. Leave the ball in the middle so you don’t block yourself out of the hole.
Playing a dogleg right with a fade
Playing a fade on a dogleg right can shave off considerable yardage and give you a much easier approach to the green. When playing a dogleg right, you’ll aim your tee shot along the center of the fairway and let it fade around the dogleg.
Start by aiming your feet and shoulders slightly to the left of the target. Keep the clubface pointed to the target (more square than your feet). Let the swing path follow the line of the feet. The path ends up feeling a little outside.
Practice this on the range with some alignment sticks on the ground, showing the line for your feet and your target.
Playing a dogleg left with a draw
On a dogleg left, the right-to-left shape will help you cut the corner. You’ll want to do almost the exact opposite of what you did with the fade shot.
Aim your feet and shoulders slightly right of the target, keeping the clubface pointing toward the target. If you swing along the line of your feet again, your path will be a little inside out and the clubface should be slightly closed to the path, helping you get that draw.
If you make these adjustments to your setup and stance to hit a draw or a fade, make sure you commit to the shot. Lack of confidence will lead to inconsistency in the results.
Aggressive versus playing it safe
Another factor to consider with dogleg golf holes is when to get aggressive and when to just hit the center of the fairway. Even if it means your approach shot will be longer, sometimes a safe shot makes the most sense.
Get aggressive if . . .
- The fairway is wide and the landing zone is large
- You know the course well and have local knowledge about what club you should hit and any hidden hazards or obstacles
- The shot shape needed (fade or draw) is your natural shot shape
Play it safe if . . .
- You are dealing with water, dense trees or out of bounds near the corner. Even if it takes you two hybrids or two fairway woods to hit the green in regulation, it’s better than a driver and a penalty shot.
- Yardages are uncertain; you can’t guess on these types of shots. Use a GPS or rangefinder. If you don’t have one, play it safe.
Final thoughts
Sometimes cutting the corner on a dogleg and giving yourself a short approach makes sense. Other times, you’re just setting yourself up for a punch shot out of the woods or a penalty stroke. Plan your tee shot correctly, get a yardage you can trust and play your natural shot shape anytime you get the chance. Work on drills at the driving range to help you feel confident hitting draws and fades.
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