Redding tip (Jan. 13): Hit it long

Closer Is Better

Golf has become a power game. There is no question that the guys and girls on tour are hitting it farther than ever. I would usually bet on the guy with a wedge in his hand from the rough rather than the guy with a 6-iron in the fairway.

The important part here is to take that chance on a par-5 when the opportunity presents itself. Wide fairway, no rough to speak of, no hazards, no out-of-bounds, and no trees lining the fairway. Get it down there as close as you can to the green. Like I said, you can hit that 30-yard shot closer to the pin than that 8-iron from 140 out.

This story was originally published January 13, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Redding tip (Jan. 13): Hit it long."