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
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
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
From the rough, I'd use a 6-iron, play the ball back an inch or two and swing down on a steeper angle to catch the ball first. It also helps to aim slightly left and open the clubface at address. You'll get more height on the shot, and the club will cut through the grass more easily. Ernie Els addressaimangle 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're hitting a fairway wood, you've got a lot of real estate to cover to get to your target. Your first instinct is probably to give it a little more power because you're worried about coming up short. Ernie Els comecoverestate share on social
Because of the grass and open face, I take one more club for shots from the rough, unless the ball is sitting on top of dry grass. Then, I use more loft and swing softer, trying to hit it about 70 percent to avoid a flyer over the green. Ernie Els avoidballclub 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 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