The Forced-Curve Tee Shot

By: Jeffrey D. Brauer

Most great courses are said to "require all the shots." Certainly, fades and draws are among the shots that create a well-rounded test of golf.

While trees were not a part of Scottish links golf, those old golfers - as well as many new ones - think it should be kept that way. They believe that trees should be a backdrop at best, and that there should NEVER be a vertical element disrupting a straight aerial shot at the target.

In reality, as golf has adapted its playing grounds around the world, most natural sites contain trees. If you believe in natural golf courses and using natural elements as hazards, as most do, then you accept that trees can and should be used as hazard and strategic elements.

Specifically, ground features and hazards may suggest, but don't force, a curved shot. Well-placed trees can dictate a flight pattern. Most believe that a curved shot might be required to get you to some desirable fairway area, but since many cannot work the ball at will some portion of the fairway should be available to those who merely hit it straight.

And those who play with a constant fade or draw may demand being able to hit the fairway with their shot pattern, resulting in very wide fairways. As shown, using the proper shot pattern leaves a shorter approach shot, and green design may further amplify the advantage of curving around the tree.

Modern golf shots reach maximum curvature - both horizontally and vertically - about two-thirds through its flight. For a 270- to 300-yard tee shot, a tree encroaching into the fairway at 180 to 200 yards from the tee allows players to bend shots around it, and minimizes the additional width required to allow all shots a place to land. Trees placed closer to the tee require wider fairways, and to hookers, seem particularly uncomfortable. They also reduce the option of using fairway woods to clear the tree with a higher shot.

Since some players will have problems curving their drives, a steady diet of such shots isn't recommended (although many good courses do require it) and balance - one left for every one right - is desirable. To provide that "complete test of golf," a few examples, especially on wooded courses, should be included.



