When intentionally shaping the shot, a player should always start the ball away from trouble and curve it towards the target. This is a ‘high percentage' decision because the likely miss is usually a straight shot. In other words, the player will be left in good shape away from the trouble if the shot does not curve. The ninth hole at the Raven Golf Club is a great hole with which to use this strategy. This fantastic par four is a dog leg left, with trouble off of the tee to the left, and trouble to the right of the green on the second shot - a diabolical little creek meanders down the entire length of the hole and fairway in front of the green. This means both drive and second shot must be shaped to play the hole expertly.

On the drive, the right handed player must play a draw or hook shot. Going through a solid pre-shot routine is the key to success here. The player must first set the club square to the target and then slightly close the stance to promote an inside-out swing path. The player should also strengthen their grip by turning both hands to the right a little bit. This will help the club face ‘release' (or ‘close') through impact. Doing this should encourage the shot to start to the right of the target, and then curve back to the left into the middle of the fairway. The second shot should be shaped in the exact opposite manner. By opening the stance, weakening the grip and swinging from the outside-to-in, the ball will start to the left of the pin and then curve gently to the right landing softly on the green within birdie range.