Developing a good short game is one of the keys to scoring well in golf. Chipping the ball when you are withing 40 yards or less of the hole takes a bold golfer who can read the greens and the area around it, invent a shot that suits the environment and then execute it well. Those who can chip the ball within 8-to-10 feet of the hole on a consistent basis will improve their score.
Stay Aggressive
Many golfers think they need to hit a "delicate" chip shot when they are around the green. A delicate shot can be treacherous because if you slow your swing down and decelerate on your approach to the ball, the result can be disastrous. Slowing down during the middle of the downswing will cause the ball to squirt off the face of the club. It will cause your shot to go off in the wrong direction and it won't have enough "juice" to get near the hole. Stay aggressive in your back swing and downswing in order to hit an effective chip shot.
Muddy Conditions
While most golfers want to play in great weather conditions, that is not going to be the case on at least 30 percent of your rounds if you play all year long. When playing on a wet and muddy course, you have to get inventive. You may be stuck in the mud but you are 30 yards away from the flag stick. A chip shot is appropriate, but instead of using your 9-iron or pitching wedge, try using a 5-wood to get your ball out of the mud. You may be thinking that using a 5-wood for a chip shot is folly, but if you use an elongated putting stroke with the club, your ball will come right out of the mud and take two hops before settling down near the hole. In poor weather conditions, you have to find a way to get your shot near the hole.
Texas Wedge
Most golfers will use their pitching wedge when they are 60-to-100 yards from the hole. They will try to pitch the ball high and have it land softly near the hole. However, when you are 50-to-80 yards away from the hole, you have an uphill shot in hot, dry conditions and you have no hazards on your path to the hole, you may want to hit a Texas wedge and hit a bump-and-run shot to the hole. Use a 7-iron and have a low takeaway to about calf level. Come through the ball and finish around shin level. Keep your head down and your ball will bounce twice and roll its way toward the flag stick.
Member Comments