For many of you, I know your hybrids have become invaluable additions to the bag. One of their great strengths is the versatility they offer, allowing you to hit powerful shots from a range of different lies. For help on how to hit your hybrids or advice on what to buy, please visit your local Foremost Golf professional. 

From The Fairway 

From a good lie on the fairway, the ball should sit fairly central in your stance - just as you would have it for a long iron. One of the big mistakes I see is when players treat their hybrids like fairway woods, setting the ball too far forward in the stance. This will often cause you to lean back on the shot through impact resulting in a range of poor strikes. Make sure that your sternum is over the ball at address and that you make a solid turn from there without swaying or falling off the shot. 

From The Rough

From the rough your hybrids will come into their own. Simply move the ball a fraction further back in your stance and place your hands slightly further down the grip than usual. Remember to stay down over the shot and let the loft of the club get the ball into the air for you. These adjustments will enable you to strike the ball before the grass and make the most of the technology on offer.

The great Ben Hogan came up with an image that works really well in this part of the game. He told players to imagine a plane of glass running from just outside the ball up towards his neck. The idea was that by swinging underneath the glass you can shallow out the plane of your swing - ideal for improving your performance with your fairway woods.

You can use Hogan's image as you practice by placing a stick in the ground at the angle shown here. Simply set the stick parallel to the angle of the shaft at address - it should point towards the top of your chest. Hit a series of shots swinging the club beneath the angle of the stick. This drill will really help you find that shallow angle of attack and sweeping strike that is so important to consistent fairway wood play.

If there is anything you are struggling with, Fairway Woods or otherwise, please visit your local Foremost Golf professional who will be able to assist you further. 

One of the reasons why players often struggle with their fairway woods is that they treat them too much like irons. By setting the ball towards the centre of your stance, you'll create an angle of attack that is a little too steep. This will have a detrimental affect on both the strike and the flight.

 Set Up Keys 

You need to think of your fairway wood more like a driver. With the ball teed up and your driver in hand you should be looking to strike the ball slightly on the 'upswing'. This will deliver the optimum trajectory to maximise your distance. With a fairway wood in hand, you are looking to find a sweeping strike with a shallow angle of attack so the ball should still sit ahead of centre in your stance (not quite as far forward as with the driver).

One other important point to make is that your sternum should be over the centre of your stance at address. If your upper body is leaning forward or back, you will be changing the angle of attack. The next time you practice this area of your game, take time to ensure these fundamentals are spot on, they really should help you strike your fairway woods better. Alternatively, if you are struggling with your woods and want some specific help, please visit your local Foremsot Golf professional who will be able to assist you further. 

For many of you I know that fairway woods feel like the hardest clubs to hit consistently well. The key here is to find the ideal shallow angle of attack into the ball that delivers a 'sweeping' strike. By brushing the grass through impact you should be able to clip the ball off the top of the turf and find a flight that offers good power and distance. On the following pages there is some simple advice on how to do that.

One important point to make first is that your fairway woods must feature the right lofts for your game. It may be that a standard 3-wood bought straight off the shelf doesn't actually go any further than your 5-wood because of the flights you are able to produce with the different lofts. Finding a line-up of fairway woods to perform different tasks and hit different distances is crucial and I am always here to help you find tha

From The Tee

One big mistake that I often see amateurs make is, when they are using their fairway woods from the tee, they peg the ball up too high. Remember these clubs are designed to be hit from the deck and if you strike the ball too high on the face you'll be missing the sweetspot. When teeing the ball up, ensure that it sits just above the grass to give yourself the best chance of a powerful strike.