Shane Lowry explains what many amateurs get wrong when watching professional golfers on the television

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Shane Lowry continued his superb season on the DP World Tour this week, taking on the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

But he took time away from his busy schedule to share insight into his wedge hitting, which has played a key role in his success over the years.

Lowry boasts six wins on the DP World Tour, along with three on the PGA Tour, with a 2019 Open Championship title on his CV.

The Irishman was also part of the European team that beat the USA at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September.

Shane Lowry explains what many amateurs get wrong when watching professionals on TV

Sharing his secrets on hitting it close for the DP World Tour, Lowry carried out a demonstration alongside his fellow professional Matt Fitzpatrick.

Lowry explained: “People at home might think that when a pro gets a wedge in his hand that they hit it close all the time.

“But I think like Tour average from 100 yards is 18 feet or so, which is not like ridiculously close. From 100 yards, you don’t need to be hitting it stiff all the time. You just need to be giving yourself chances. So I think that’s the one thing I’ve learned over the years.”

Fitzpatrick then asked his Ryder Cup teammate: “So if you’ve got 130 yards, what would your expectations be here?”

He replied: “I think depending on where the flag is, obviously it’s in the middle of the green here, you’re trying to hit obviously pretty close.

“But once you’re inside, like 15 feet, it’s a really good shot, and you’re giving yourself chances. Actually my first caddy used to beat it into me that pin high was always really good.

“As long as you’re pin high and your distance control is good, you’re always going to have chances. So that’s what I try and work on. You’re trying not to be too aggressive, but you want to hit it obviously pretty close as well.”

Fitzpatrick then questioned: “Obviously that’s a center pin, but if it moves to the left or to the right there, it should be pretty obvious you’re aiming away from the pin probably a bit more?”

And Lowry replied: “Yeah. Well, on Tour, we play a lot of camera tower golf, don’t we? There’s always a camera tower in the middle of the green and you’re always trying to hit it there, especially when you get longer clubs in.

“I tend to be more comfortable with a fade. So if the pin is on the left, I normally try and fade it off, away from it.

“And then if the pin is on the right that’s when I’m kind of licking my chops, where I feel like I can fade it onto the flag.

“Scottie Scheffler is the best in the world, and he doesn’t hit it stiff all the time, but he’s very sensible about where he hits it and what he does.

“And then if the pin is at the front obviously you’re just trying to hit a little bit more spin, and maybe I’ll try and go a bit higher with a bit more cut on it to get it coming down soft.

“I’m actually better when I do that, when I try and hit different shots. I think the hardest shot in the world is like no wind and the pin in the middle of the green, it really is.”

READ MORE: Tommy Fleetwood says how he felt about being paired with Shane Lowry on day one at the Abu Dhabi Championship

The new Race to Dubai top 10 as Aaron Rai wins the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

A host of Ryder Cup stars were in action on the DP World Tour this past week, where Aaron Rai emerged victorious.

Rai beat Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with the duo having finished on 25-under.

Rory McIlroy ended his tournament tied third on 24-under, with Robert MacIntyre also finishing in the top 10 at Yas Links.

Lowry meanwhile finished T12 on 19-under, with Fitzpatrick down in T32 on 14-under in the penultimate event of the DP World Tour season.

It concludes this week with the DP World Tour Championship, which takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

McIlroy leads the Race to Dubai rankings heading into the event, with Rai having just jumped 46 places to ninth after his Abu Dhabi Success.