Hit More Fairways: Train Like a Pro Using Data Margins

The US Open is widely recognized as the toughest test in golf. This week, the world’s best players are taking on Shinnecock Hills – an iconic, wind-swept terrain where surviving the weekend requires absolute precision – both off the tee and approaching the greens. 

Although Shinnecock’s fairways are wider than the average US Open setup, punishing rough, bunkers and treacherous native areas mean that missing the fairway isn't just a minor mistake – it can be a guaranteed stroke penalty.

Fortunately, you don't need to be playing this week to put yourself to the test. You can simulate these exact high-pressure conditions right from your local range or home simulator using the FS Golf App.

The "Shinnecock Fairway" Challenge

Hitting fairways is crucial at a US Open. Here is how you can train to hit more fairways yourself using your FlightScope launch monitor and the FS Golf App:

1. Switch on Data Margins

• Open a full swing session in the FS Golf App and switch on Data Margins. These allow you to set a minimum and a maximum value for any and all data parameters – giving you immediate visual feedback and helping you train smarter.

2. Create Your Fairway

• Select ‘Data Margins Settings’ and create a data margin using the data parameter 'lateral deviation' (which measures exactly how far left or right your ball finishes from your target line). This is essentially your fairway. You can name this data margin anything you like, such as ‘Shinnecock Fairways’.

• The average fairway width at Shinnecock Hills this week is 48 yards (just over 43 meters), so set the minimum value to 24 yards (21.5 meters) left, and the maximum value to 24 yards (21.5 meters) right. This gives you an exact 48-yard window to work with.

3. Test Yourself Off The Tee

• Start hitting the clubs that you would consider using off the tee (eg. 4-iron, Hybrid, 3 Wood and Driver) and see if you can keep the ball in your virtual fairway. You’ll receive immediate feedback: if you hit the fairway, the lateral deviation metric will light up in green. If you miss, it will light up in red. You can edit your fairway over time to make it as narrow or as wide as you would like.

4. Analyze Your Results

• At the end of your session, open up your data table to see how you did. Check which clubs you hit the fairway with most often, and which may need work. 

Why This Works

Traditional range practice lacks consequences. By introducing strict visual boundaries (green for fairway, red for trouble), your brain shifts into a tournament mindset, building the focus required to execute when you're on a real tee box.

Ultimately, if you train smarter with data margins, there’s no question you’ll find yourself hitting from the short stuff more often. Let the pros grind it out this weekend while you build a better tee game on your own terms.