Royal Birkdale demands these 5 shots. Here's how pros are practicing them

SOUTHPORT, England — The beauty of the Open Championship is that it pushes players out of their comfort zone. Royal Birkdale demands shots from situations that players simply aren't used to hitting. It makes the final days before the Open Championship a cram session of shots.

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There are a few in particular I've seen players practicing a lot before the 2026 contest....

1. Off-green putt

With the tight green surrounds baked to a crisp, you'll see players opt for the putter as their first option. The hardpan lies mean it doesn't take much to get the ball rolling through the short grass, and the flatstick brings more consistency in contact.

"Less bad stuff can happen with a putter in your hands," says Ryan Gerard.

Your browser does not support the video tag. 2. Fairway finder slider

You'll see this one a lot this week. A go-to, fairway finder that flies a little lower, and drifts a little off to the right. Enough curve to be predictable, not enough height to get wayward.

Some players opt for irons on these shots. Shorter hitters may pull driver but tee it up low. Tommy Fleetwood uses a mini-driver. Notice how he chokes down on the grip and abbreviates his follow through to achieve that lower flight.

Your browser does not support the video tag. 3. Up against the lip blast

Pros will always reserve a few shots during their round to hit one of the shots they hope they'll never have to hit. A bunker shot, right up against the wall of the bunker. The key here is commitment. Opening the face and hitting down through the shot, accepting that the wall will cut your follow through off.

Your browser does not support the video tag. 4. The into-the-wind lob

Pros will generally opt for a putter from the tight green surrounds, but when they're short-sided chipping back into the wind, that's when they'll opt for a wedge. This is a basic flop shot—the difference is the ground is so firm that if you get too far down into the dirt, the clubhead will bounce back and you'll blade it.

"You have to go right under it," Luke Donald explains. "Barely clip the grass."

It's why players put ultra low-bounce wedges into the bag just for this shot—past champion Padraig Harrington has a 64 degree, 4 degree bounce wedge enlisted for the task.

Your browser does not support the video tag. 5. Chunk and run

The nature of the beast at the Open Championship is that you won't always find the short grass on the runoffs. Sometimes your ball will find the cabbage. And when it does, it's time for the chunk-and-run. A big, downward chip with a wedge that pops out of the long stuff, and trundles up the rest of the way.

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