Tom Stickney on "the Magic Yardage" (Video)

Instructor Tom Stickney defines "the magic yardage" as the yardage between roughly 40 and 100 yards that you can repeat with consistency. Here's his video:

This is as much a strategic concept as a specific shot. If you know that you can consistently hit a certain shot, say, 60 yards, whenever you want to, then you have a great scoring weapon at your disposal.

• If you're playing a par-5, you can hit your second shot to a position that leaves you 60 yards to the green and know you'll probably have a good putt for birdie.
• If you have to hit a recovery shot from a bad drive on a par-4, you can hit that shot to a position that leaves you 60 yards to the green and know you'll probably have a good putt for par.
• Likewise, if you're playing to a par-3 that's too long or too difficult for you, one that demands a tee shot that will almost certainly end up in trouble, you can lay up your tee shot to a position that leaves you 60 yards to the green and know you'll probably have a good putt for par.

This is about playing to your strengths. It's about giving yourself a shot to the green that gives you a chance to make a good score when that hole isn't likely to do you any favors.

And the great thing about this shot is that it doesn't require special techniques. It's about finding the club-and-distance combination that you can count on whenever you need to make a shot. A shot that you can hit NOW, at your current skill level.

A simple concept that can pay big dividends on your scorecard. Find this shot!