how to work on your short game in golf

An easy tip to the golfer struggling with their short game is to wedge a second staff or alignment stick onto the grip end of a club. According to Ron Stockton, "When you hit chip shots with this extended club, the extra shaft shouldn't touch your body as you swing through the ball.

Full Answer

How to improve your short game in golf?

The club will hug the ground and catch every chip super-crisp. One of the most efficient ways to lower your golf scores is to improve your short game. A combination of good technique, proper shot selection, structured practice can add up quickly.

Why are short game drills important in golf?

If there’s one piece of advice for practicing golf, it’s spending more time on your short game drills, than the driving range. Better players simply hit it closer from around the greens. But it’s important to make short game practice fun, which is what these short game drills are designed to do.

What are 10 short game tricks to instantly lower your score?

10 short game tricks to instantly lower your score 1 Putting turn toes in 2 Pace your putts – one inch per step 3 Stroke then look 4 Lean forward when putting 5 Choke down on short shots 6 Heel up for chips 7 Square looks open for pitches 8 Remeber: Speed and sand 9 Dig your feet in when you’re in the bunker 10 Always remember: Putt, chip, pitch

Is it important to make short game practice fun?

But it’s important to make short game practice fun, which is what these short game drills are designed to do. 1. One club, Two distances In order to become a genius from 100 yards and in (the scoring zone), you need to develop your feel. .

How do you practice short game in golf?

17:3619:53HOW TO PRACTICE YOUR SHORT GAME! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what i want you to do is throw those nine golf balls around the green in those various locationsMoreAnd what i want you to do is throw those nine golf balls around the green in those various locations. And hold out every single one each shot that you play is a par two.

How do pros practice short game?

5:266:18How Pro Golfers Practice Short Game - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd run some pitches some bunker shops some flop shots. And you can use the same format it's prettyMoreAnd run some pitches some bunker shops some flop shots. And you can use the same format it's pretty cool. So once again if you hit that first chip in that circle.

How do you master short game?

10 Ways To Improve Your Short GameDon't freeze your swing on pitch shots. ... Utilize the bounce on pitches. ... Pitch with your arms. ... Slide the clubface under the ball on flop shots. ... Slam the club to hit a flop shot. ... Hinge your wrists to bump-and-run. ... Keep your hands softened on chips. ... Chip with an extended shaft.More items...•

How do you hit a short game shot?

"To make sure you hit it clean, set up with the ball in the center, and make sure you keep your sternum and nose over the ball. Stay on top like this and make a high-to-low swing where the clubhead finishes low and around you." "Sometimes you need to go over something and a low chip just isn't an option," says Swain.

How can I practice my short game at home?

4:546:53How to Improve Your Short Game AT HOME! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKeep going until you've tapped in a put to the section that is only one foot away from you then offMoreKeep going until you've tapped in a put to the section that is only one foot away from you then off you go again but making your way back up the mat until you get to the furthest.

What percent of golf is short game?

The short game, from 100 yards in, equates for just under 70 percent of golf shots.

How can I lower my golf score quickly?

10 short game tricks to instantly lower your scorePutting turn toes in. ... Pace your putts – one inch per step. ... Stroke then look. ... Lean forward when putting. ... Choke down on short shots. ... Heel up for chips. ... Square looks open for pitches. ... Remeber: Speed and sand.More items...•

How do I lower my golf score by 10 strokes?

6 Ways To Knock 10 Strokes Off Your Golf GamePractice on your own. You can't expect to improve if you're always going around the course with your friends because it's completely different to playing on your own. ... Go down the range. ... Stay in control. ... Learn to visualize. ... Start to stretch. ... Be steady and don't follow through.

How do short game drills improve?

0:063:00Titleist Tips: Five Drills for a World Class Short Game - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCreate a 90 degree angle. And i'm going to do nothing more than work on my setup. Middle ballMoreCreate a 90 degree angle. And i'm going to do nothing more than work on my setup. Middle ball position when i have a stick down the reference point is easy my nose should be right over the stick.

How do I become a better chipper?

0:098:58TOP 3 GOLF TIPS IN 4K - BE A BETTER CHIPPER - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd don't put enough time into practicing. If you can become a good chipper. Your whole game willMoreAnd don't put enough time into practicing. If you can become a good chipper. Your whole game will lift as a result. Because not only does it mean that you're able to scramble. Open down and get pars.

How do you chip short distances?

0:004:131 Simple Drill to Work on Chipping Distance Control - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can use any club. So if you don't work on a bump and run maybe you want to hit a littleMoreAnd you can use any club. So if you don't work on a bump and run maybe you want to hit a little higher shot you can even do this with bunker shots which would be a little bit more advanced.

How can I improve my chipping and putting?

10 basic tips that can help golfers chip better than everBe in proper posture. ... Tweak your stance and setup. ... Understand ball-turf interaction. ... Understand your chipping stroke. ... Develop your feel. ... Adjust your ball position. ... Calibrate your distance control. ... Practice with an alignment rod.More items...•

How to lower your short game score?

10 short game tricks to instantly lower your score. Maintain the triangle formed by your shoulders and arms at address throughout your motion. The club will hug the ground and catch every chip super-crisp. One of the most efficient ways to lower your golf scores is to improve your short game.

How to lower your golf score?

One of the most efficient ways to lower your golf scores is to improve your short game. A combination of good technique, proper shot selection, structured practice can add up quickly. Sometimes, however, life gets in the way, and it’s hard to find the time to take a lesson or practice a much as you might like.

Why is it important to keep your lower body still when you putt?

Keeping your lower body still when you putt will make it much more likely to roll your golf ball on the line you are aimed and also be more consistent controlling distance.

How to see results on golf course?

1. Putting turn toes in 2. Pace your putts – one inch per step 3. Stroke then look 4.

Can you hit the ground before the ball hits the ground?

Many golfers will incorrectly fall back and try to lift the golf ball. This can cause you to hit the ground before the ball or even top it, but in either case contact will suffer. A great “trick” to avoid this is to get all set up and then pick up your back heel and keep it up throughout your stroke.

1. Maximize the bounce on your pitches

The first thing you have to do is to make the most out of your pitches. Always take advantage of the bounce that will come out of your shot. This way, you can slide your club along the grass and create soft but floating pitch shots.

2. Keep your hands soft

A very tight grip is a no-no, no matter what shot you’re about to do. When it comes to short game shots, you should also avoid over-gripping your club. Still, you’re not supposed to hold it too loose.

3. Allow your body to rotate

Sure thing, short game shots are short. However, it doesn’t mean your body can no longer move or rotate. You should always maintain the connection of your body whatever shot you’re going to do. Your hip should rotate during the swing, no matter how subtle it is.

4. Utilize your left arm

For right-handed golfers, it’s easy to neglect or even overlook the role of the left arm. Remember, your left arm gives your right arm proper control during a chip. Without proper utilization, your short game shots will have poor power and direction.

5. Use an extended shaft

Some golfers are having a hard time doing a chip shot with a standard club. With this, you can use an extended shaft by adding an alignment stick at the end of your grip. Using this extra length, the shaft will not touch your body while you swing toward the ball.

6. Make a flop shot with a slam

Flop shots are special short game shots done over a hazard located between the flagstick and the golfer. The goal of this shot is to send the ball to the green and stop quickly upon landing.

7. Practice the bump and run

Bump and run, also called chip and run, is a short game shot where the ball spends a certain period in the air before bumping on the ground and rolling into the hole. The aim here is to bounce the ball into the green and have it roll smoothly as close as possible to the hole.

How to improve short game golf?

Here are 3 quick and easy tips that can help improve your short game in golf and lower your scores. 1. Know your wedge distances. Check out this drill to work on your wedges, distance control and different ball trajectories, and learn more about your wedges in general. One of the first things we need in order to put the ball close ...

What is the easiest shot to hit around a green?

Last but not least, learn how and when to use the "bump and run". Technically the bump and run is probably the easiest shot to hit around a green, but is not one that we can use all the time.

When the pin is back, can you hit a lower shot?

There are exceptions to the “rule” and you are not always going to hit lower shots to back pins and high ones to front locations.

Do you use the same grip when putting?

Some people even like to use the same grip they use while putting. Remember always to take a look at the green before executing, since it is like putting, the break of the green is going to affect the shot more than a shot that flies to the pin.

Is it good to slow down your swing when coming down?

It is important to have a good tempo but it is not good to slow down your swing when coming down as this will most likely cause you to hit it thin or sometimes heavy. If we pick the right club and shape, we will not have to manipulate the swing while we are swinging.

How long does it take to practice shooting?

This exercise might take 40-50 minutes to perform, but it makes practice very meaningful. What this does is: Practice your routine – getting your process the same and focusing on it should be consistent no matter what the shot or situation. Work on your imagination and visualization.

What are the steps to a pre-shot?

Your pre-shot should have 3 main steps: Visualization, Feel and Trust. When you’re visualizing your shot ask yourself, where the ball will land and how it will roll out to the hole and where on the hole it will go in. When you’ve seen the shot in your mind’s eye, feel the swing you need to produce that shot.

Where is your time best spent?

Only a select group of golfers will have the physique, athleticism and technique to hit the ball with tremendous length and accuracy. Reaching that level of proficiency takes a great deal of time and effort in addition to having the natural physical ability.

My story

If I had to summarize most of my golfing career, I would say it would be “wasted talent.” Since I took up the game at 10 years old, I have always been an above-average ball striker. As a kid, I spent thousands of hours hitting golf balls, and mostly focusing on the longer game. It was fun, and I loved doing it.

Practice Time

I read Dave Pelz’s The Short Game Bible about 10 years ago. Not only did it convince me that the path to lower scores was going to be through my wedge game, but it gave me the tools to understand how to play those shots more effectively. I devoted my practice sessions to honing in my wedge distances, and improving my chipping technique.

The Results

The data is definitive. Single-digit handicaps spend significantly more time practicing with their wedges and putters than higher-handicapped golfers do.

What does all of this mean?

I’m not arguing against Mark Broadie’s data that suggests improving your long game is the key to lowering your scores, but we have to be realistic. We have to be practical.