The short game is the part that gets neglected, yet it is the part of the game that will make your round or ruin your round.
When I talk about the short game I include, Pitching, Chipping, Bunker Play, and Putting. How good are you at this area? The answer will normally reflect your handicap level.
Here are a few points to think about when trying to play these shots:
Bunker Play:
- Set up with your weight towards the target.
- Hands set up slightly towards the target. You do not want your hands in a neutral position nor behind the ball.
- Steeper takeaway and steeper downswing.
- Visualise the trajectory you want the ball to fly….this is created by the face angle.
- Pick a point where you want the ball to land.
- Light grip pressure.
- Make sure you hit down into the sand and maintain the face angle you require to hit your required shot.Pitching:
- Choose the right club for the required distance.
- Set weight at address slightly towards the target or neutral….this will help dictate the flight of the ball.
- Keep your hands low through impact…do not try to “scoop” the ball up.
- Pick your landing spot and visualize the flight you require.Chipping:
- Depending on the style of shot you want to play, choose a lower lofted club when on the fringe of the greenand increase the club loft in shot as you are moving further from the green….especially if you have rough and
other obstacles you need to fly the ball over.
- Use the wrists on the backswing to dictate the length the ball will travel and the height you want the balltravel.
- Put a marker on the green where you would like the ball to land and try practicing landing the ball on thatmarker. The marker can be a small coin or a ball marker.
- Keep your hands passive through impact and the clubface at the angle you require for the shot at hand.Putting:
- Make sure your putter suits your stroke.
- Visualise the line you want to hit the ball on.
- Pick the speed you want to hit the ball.
- Be confident with the line and speed you have chosen and hit the putt without manipulation!Let me know how you go with it all. I’m very interested to know.
