Having a killer short game is crucial to lowering your scores!

There's a reason these shots are often referred to as the "scoring shots" because they can have a big impact on your score.

A good short game is epitomized by your ability to recover from tough situations.

If you are able to get up & down more often than not when you miss the green, you can save a lot of shots and keep your score low.

It requires a lot of touch and finesse.. but being able to hit precise shots with your wedges and control the speed and direction of your putts can be the key to success on the course.

The short game can be a great equalizer.

Even if you don't hit the ball as far as some of your opponents,

a good short game can help you stay competitive.

AND

The short game can be very rewarding.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of making a tricky chip shot or sinking a long putt.

THE PROBLEM

The short game poses some of the most challenging shots in the game.

To hit it close consistently requires a high level of precision and touch.

Many amateur golfers struggle with this because they fail to account for all the variables.

There are many factors to consider.

You need to take into account the distance to the hole, the lie of the ball, the slope of the green, the wind, and how much the ball will spin when it lands.

The short game requires a lot of touch and finesse.

You need to be able to hit precise shots with your wedges and control the speed and direction of your putts if you stand any chance of carding a low round.

There is less margin for error.

With longer shots, the ball has more time to correct its trajectory but with shorter shots, there is less room for error.

So you need to be more precise.

This can be difficult to do consistently.

AND

The short game can be frustrating.

Even the best golfers in the world can struggle with their short game at times.

Missing a short putt or chunking a chip shot can be frustrating and can affect your confidence.

and your score...

THE SOLUTION

Practice your short game.

Spend time working on your chipping and pitching techniques and add variation.

Hit from different lies and distances to get a feel for how far to swing when you're in a similar situation on the course.

Make sure you have the right wedges for your game.

Different wedges are designed for different types of shots and using the right one for the right shot can help you hit it closer and get up and down more often.

it's best to use a mixture of a Pitching wedge, Gap Wedge, Sand Wedge and Lob Wedge to cover appropriate gapping in distance for your bag.

Choose the right wedge for the shot.

Consider factors such as the distance to the hole, the lie of the ball, and the condition of the green when selecting the appropriate wedge.

For instance, if you are facing a shot where you're short-sided and have to get it up quickly to have any chance of getting it close, it's better to use a higher-lofted wedge, like a 60 Degree Lob Wedge.

As opposed to a situation where you have plenty of green to work with and would hit it closer more often if you kept the ball lower to the ground, using a less lofted club like an 8 iron or a Pitching wedge.

Know your carry distance.

This is crucial for hitting it close.

Practice different length swings to produce different carry distances and practice this with ALL your wedges.

Make a smooth, controlled swing.

Playing with a smooth Tempo is important, especially when it comes to the short game!

It's why all the best short-game players in the world have a smooth consistent swing with their wedges.

A smooth, controlled swing helps you hit more accurate shots, and minimise the erratic misses.

Pay attention to your grip.

A good grip will help you make a smooth swing and hit consistent shots.

Make sure your grip is not too tight.

Holding the club too tightly will lead to tension in your hands and arms, making it difficult to make a smooth swing.

Instead, try to hold the club with a light, relaxed grip.

Practice different types of shots with your wedges.

This includes high, low, and straight shots, as well as shots with different amounts of spin.

By hitting balls from various lies and distances, using different clubs, and changing your swing appropriately, you'll have a better grasp of how to hit certain shots and as a result, you'll feel more confident using them on the course.

Experiment with different ball positions.

Moving the ball forward or back in your stance can help you hit different types of shots and control ball flight.

Shots played from the back of the stance can help keep the trajectory low and add spin to your ball,

helping it stop when it hits the green.

Whereas, playing from a forward ball position can help encourage a higher ball flight.

Pay attention to the angle of your club face.

It's an important aspect of your wedge play, as it will help you hit the shots you want, with the desired amount of spin, whether it be high or low shots.

A shot with a square face will have little to no spin, whereas a shot with an open face will produce much more spin.

By understanding the relationship between face angle and shot outcome, you'll have more control over your shots and will execute them more consistently on the golf course.

Use your body to control the shot.

Your body position and movement can have a big impact on the trajectory and spin of your shots with the wedges.

A good swing with your wedges should use your body to generate power and control, rather than relying solely on your hands or wrists.

This will help you to make more solid consistent contact.

Too many golfers try to flip their wrists and save the shot at impact.

This leads to all sorts of trouble, like knifing it through the back of the green, or chunking it and leaving it short.

Instead,

Try to focus on using your body throughout your swing and you'll see a much greater improvement.

Visualize the shot.

Visualization is a powerful tool.

Before you swing, really take a moment to visualize the trajectory and landing spot of the ball.

Make it a habit to practice this regularly, as it helps to remove tension, pressure and negative thoughts from your mind and focus solely on the positive outcome.

SUMMARY

Overall, the short game plays a crucial part in your ability to score well, and mastering this art can make a big difference in your scores.

By consistently practising your chipping, pitching, and putting, you can turn this part of the game into a strength that you capitalise on when you are inside the scoring zone.

This will shave strokes off your handicap and you will become a better golfer

Need help with your short game and want to learn more?