The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush this week and players are in for a battle — not just against the course or their competitors, but against the elements.
With meandering fairways lined by unruly fescue and punishing pot bunkers guarding tiered greens, Royal Portrush is challenge enough when the weather is calm. Throw in harsh conditions from the Northern Irish coast and it becomes one of the toughest tests in golf.
As we’ve seen, when temperatures drop, the rain sets in and winds whip off the North Atlantic, traditional high, spinning shots become almost impossible to control. Into the wind, they balloon and fall short. Downwind, they fly too far. And in a stuff crosswind, they can drift offline.
To stay in control, players will have to adapt to the conditions as they change. But flighting a lower trajectory shot with less spin is easier said than done. These low-running approach shots demand precision, touch and a bit of creativity, as players will need to use the natural contours of the course to land shots close.
It’s a skill Shane Lowry displayed during his commanding victory at Royal Portrush in 2019. Amid torrential downpour and howling winds, Lowry had complete control of his shot-shaping abilities.
One shot in particular that Lowry relied on — and practices before every round — is his low, flighted draw. He broke down the shot in the latest episode of “Warming Up” with GOLF’s Dylan Dethier, and you can watch it here or below.
To hit Lowry’s right-to-left wind cheater, you’ll need to start by grabbing one of your lowest lofted irons. In the clip above, Lowry uses his 3-iron. Next, set your feet to promote a low, drawing ball flight.
“I just shut my feet, and get my left foot a little, get it back,” Lowry says.
Closing your stance, or aligning your feet slightly right of your target (for right-handed players), encourages you to swing on an in-to-out swing path and deliver the club from inside the target line. This move is essential to producing a draw.
“And then, I just try and feel like I’m swinging in-to-out as opposed to down and left,” Lowry says.
That inside path promotes the draw-bias ball flight we’re looking to achieve.
Beyond Lowry’s adjustments, you can also tweak your ball position and shaft lean to further control trajectory and spin.
Playing the ball slightly back in your stance — no more than a ball, ball and a half — helps to de-loft the club, producing lower launch and more roll. But this doesn’t always work for everyone. If you’re someone that has a steeper angle of attack, this could have an inverse affect and add spin to your shots.
The same can be said for shaft lean. Increasing shaft lean (by leaning, or angling, your shaft toward the target) decreases your dynamic loft, meaning your 6-iron might play more like a 4-iron with a bit of shaft lean. This leads to lower launching shots with reduced spin, perfect for flighting shots under the rowdy Irish wind. But there can be too much of a good thing. Too much shaft lean can close the club face excessively, resulting in low hooks or chunked shots.
The best way to find your ideal setup is to test it out on the range. Try moving your ball back a hair or bumping your hands slightly forward. Once you dial in a combination that produces the ball flight you want, make a mental note. Then, build your practice around it.
When it’s time to shape your shots, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by swing thoughts — especially when the pressure is on. But, Lowry takes a different path — one rooted in visualization and trust.
“I will just picture the shot in my head,” Lowry says. “Then I just get in, and kind of feel it and then I just hit it.”
His simple visualization, paired with trust and confidence built through repetition, allows Lowry to commit fully. It’s an approach that’s both instinctive and effective.
“We do it so much, we do it every day, that it just becomes instinctive,” Lowry says.
It’s a mindset every amateur can learn from. With consistent practice comes trust. Not just in your game, but in yourself to execute the shot under pressure.
Next time you’re trying to hit this low, flighted draw, or any shot for that matter, remember Lowry’s three keys: see it, trust it, do it.
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