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How To Master The Short Game Of Golf

It is no hidden fact that the short game of golf can take a significant number of strokes off your scorecard and make a big difference in lowering your handicap. Unfortunately most amateurs do not pay enough attention to this part of the game and then wonder why they struggle to break 100. The main aspects of the short game include putting, wedge play, chipping and bunker shots. Here are some tips regarding each area to help you improve:

Wedge play tips:

Each time you have a wedge in your hand you should have the confidence to try to hole this shot especially if you are a lower handicap player. The ball position in your setup should be at the middle of the stance. The key to getting better with hitting wedge shots is to practice them enough so be sure to spend as much time as possible hitting wedge shots. Pick a small target on the green and simple look and react to hit the best shots you are capable of.

Chipping and pitch shot tips:

No player hits every green in regulation thus good chipping can really help to save a good round or to lower your overall scores. Go to the practice green and hit all kinds of different chips from different lies, uphill, sidehill, downhill, buried and tight lies. The more you practice the better your will get at hitting these shots. A good mechanical tip is to place the ball towards your right foot for most chips and to have a straight line between the left hand and the club on each follow through.

Flop shot tips:

The flop shot is important when you need to stop the ball quickly since you have little green to work with. You should use a high lofted club ideally a 60 degree sand wedge, open the club face and your stance, place the ball closer to your left foot (right handed players) and make a smooth controlled swing. Make sure that you have a decent lie if you choose to hit this shot otherwise it can become very difficult to pull off.

Bunker shot tips:

Many courses are embedded with bunkers and learning how to hit from a bunker can save you a lot of strokes. With green side bunkers you want to have an open stance with the ball lined up with the left foot. Then you want to select a spot about 3 to 6 inches behind the ball and strike this area hitting the sand first and using that cushion of sand to lift the ball out of the bunker and have the ball land softly. Be sure to accelerate on the downswing otherwise you will end up leaving the ball in the bunker. You need a decent amount of club head speed to get the ball out of most bunkers.

Putting tips:

Putting is a game in and of itself and there are many aspects to it including how to read greens and the mechanical aspects of the putting stroke. Many golfers tend to stand too far from the ball, instead it is better to stand as close as possible to the ball so that your eyes are directly over the ball. This will help you to see the putt and the line much better. Also avoid using wrists during the putting stroke but rather focus on making good shoulder turns, this will help to develop a much more consistent putting stroke.

Another important putting tip is to always try to hole every putt no matter how long it is, this will ensure the smallest margin for error and your misses will be much closer using this mental approach. These short game tips can help you to become a lower handicap player. If you are serious about shooting low scores then the ‘How To Break 80’ system may be exactly what you are looking for. This system covers every area necessary to help you learn how to consistently shoot in the 70’s. Click here to learn more.