Ball position is everything in iron play. If you aren't careful about it, you can create some major problems in your game just by getting an inch or two off. Ernie Els ballcarefulcreate Change image and share on social
You have to know how to read your lie and take a calculated risk when you hit out of the rough. Ernie Els calculatehitlie Change image and share on social
I almost never hit a shot all out, and I make a conscious effort to swing my long clubs just as I do my wedges. Keep this in mind when hitting your fairway woods. Ernie Els clubconsciouseffort Change image and share on social
For a 7-iron, you never want the ball to be closer to your left heel than just slightly ahead of the mid-point of your stance. That's especially true if you're a tall player, like me. Ernie Els aheadballclose Change image and share on social
I plot the par 5s back from the green and make my plan. If I can reach the green in two shots, I'm going to be aggressive off the tee. But if 's a three-shot hole, the goal changes. You want to put yourself in position to hit your favorite shot to the green. Ernie Els aggressivebackfavorite share on social
I use a 1994 South African 5 rand coin to mark my ball. It reminds me of my '94 U.S. Open win at Oakmont. Ernie Els africanballcoin Change image and share on social
When I'm swinging the club at my best, it's because I'm not thinking about mechanics at all. I feel like my body is loose. My arms are soft in front of me when I'm setting up, and my chest and shoulders feel as if they can move and turn easily. Ernie Els armbodychest share on social
I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think you should be getting a breather, distance-wise, and instead, you get hit with a long iron or hybrid shot over trouble. Ernie Els amateurbreatherdistance share on social
When you get to the tee on a really long par 5, I know what you're feeling. You want to let the shaft out on the driver and try to bomb it down there. I get the same feeling. But a big tee shot is not always the best strategy, especially on a long hole. Ernie Els bigbombdriver share on social
With shorter clubs, your ball position should be just back of middle, to really promote hitting the ball first on a downward strike. Ernie Els backballclub Change image and share on social
