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SA,
I'd like to start a topic on short game.... In particular, how to get better at it. Sorry if there is a discussion already posted on this. I didn't see one... Anyway, I'd like to know what others are doing to improve their play around the green. It could be anything from putting, pitch shots, chipping, different kinds of sand shots, special shots that you've learned to work under certain cases, whatever... I guess all this could be broken down in to other posts, so if you feel like doing that and it's not already posted, then please do!
BC
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So, I was working on putting yesterday... I noticed that I am a little handzy, especially when I start the backswing. Worked on initiating the swing with my shoulders, and was MUCH more consistent with with how much force I applied to each stroke. My accuracy was also much better, but the main thing was the fact that I putted the ball the same distance more consistently. The arms and hands felt like one big piece that connected to the shaft, but was not to rigid so that I could feel my hands slightly release, which I like to feel.
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Get a big fat putter grip, that'll take your hands out of your putts !
I'm getting one soon. I miss my old one.
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Any shot from 50 yards on it is ALL about accelerating through the ball. Typically people bring the club back really fast then glide it into impact. You should do the opposite. Take the club back slowly and then gradually accelerate.
Also, the hands lead any of these shots. Should be no flipping or breaking of the wrists. That means there is still some pivot in a short-game shot. I use my body to hit these shots, not my arms or hands.
And, you can dictate how the ball reacts on the green by the way you make contact with the ball. If you want to hit a HIGH lob, you want to slide the club under the ball, NOT hit down on it. If you want to hit a low pitch that bites, hit down on the ball with a square face. This is all about practice. Try hitting different shots.
Lastly, the ball and the wedge play a BIG part in your short game. The ball has the most to do with your short game. Softer covered 3, 4 and 5 piece balls will bite and be easier to control. Harder 2 and 3 piece balls will be longer (usually) off the tee, but not bite as much on the green. I try to find a happy medium (Srixon Trispeed Tour is my ball right now. Also play the TM TP Blacks, NXT Tour). I get a great balance of distance and spin. If I was to play a Pro-V1 or Srixon ZSTAR, I would loose distance off the tee AND the ball would spin too much to my liking on the green. I can make the ball spin more if I want to, its harder to take spin OFF the ball IMHO.
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randomhero1090 wrote:Any shot from 50 yards on in is ALL about accelerating through the ball. Typically people bring the club back really fast then glide it into impact. You should do the opposite. Take the club back slowly and then gradually accelerate. I've got lots to work on, for my short game. This is a great tip for me to think about. Quote:Also, the hands lead any of these shots. Should be no flipping or breaking of the wrists. That means there is still some pivot in a short-game shot. Great tip. Quote:I use my body to hit these shots, not my arms or hands. I use the club ! Quote:And, you can dictate how the ball reacts on the green by the way you make contact with the ball. If you want to hit a HIGH lob, you want to slide the club under the ball, NOT hit down on it. If you want to hit a low pitch that bites, hit down on the ball with a square face. This is all about practice. Try hitting different shots. Gotta work on this too. These are the short game fundamentals ! (1) easy back and accelerate through the ball. (2) hands ahead (3) slide under for high shots, hit down on ball for a pitch shot that bites. I wrote these down to look at when I am at the range again.
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OK, I'm going to come at it from a bit of a different angle as it sounds to me like you're thinking an awful lot about the technique of your short game. I'd like to know how you are practicing it? How are you going to get better? Technique alone won't transform your or anyone's short game ;) Talk me through a typical practice session.....
"From now on we're gonna call you The Scrambler!"
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Technique is great... Focusing on feel is even better. For me, developing a good feel (an intuition that accurately estimates the shot) often times automatically enforces the correct technique. For instance, you may notice, with practice, that taking your hands out of a chip produces a more consistent ball strike and distance control. However, there may be a case where the use of your hands will help provide a little "umph" to a shot, if used correctly.
When I practice my short game, and I'm not sure of the correct way to execute a particular shot, I will just use my initial intuition. If I mess up, I replay the shot mentally, think about what could have caused it, and make an adjustment.
Usually, my error is distance control. I know that I am not where I wunna be at the moment. Yesterday, I played 9 holes, and there were a few times where I totally misjudged the distance. I was trying to land the ball at a certain spot and allow it to release, but I landed the ball well past that spot, and ended up well past the hole. I stuck the ball like I wanted, and I swear that once I hit it, it felt like it was gunna land right on my spot.
So, one simple short game drill that I am doing is to select a few spots on the ground at different distances and trying to land the ball on that spot. The further away the spot is, the bigger it is. Try and make it as small as possible, but still practical for you. I try and hit 3 balls in a row to that spot, then go to the next further one. If I miss one, I start all over from the first spot. Since you'd just be working on landing position, it doesn't have to be a green, cuz you don't care where the ball is going to roll....
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Hi BC Sounds like you're on the right lines. Distance control is key here. Picking the correct spot on the green to land your ball is huge but if you then hit the shot and don't land your ball close enough to the intended landing area the shot will not go where you planned. Here's a chipping drill I came up with a little while back. Have a go and let me know what you think...?  I try to do this drill every couple of days and find it really helps me focus on the landing area rather than the hole. Let me know how you get on with it...
"From now on we're gonna call you The Scrambler!"
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I've also got a drill for longer chips shots. Let me know how you get on with the first one and we can discuss further.... ;) p.s. did I mention I love short game drills :D
"From now on we're gonna call you The Scrambler!"
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Very cool, thanks...
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BCHenley wrote:Very cool, thanks... Let me know if it helps....
"From now on we're gonna call you The Scrambler!"
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