Whether you are faced with a 30-foot putt, a 100-yard wedge shot, or anything in between during a round of golf, you want to get the ball into or as close to the hole as possible. Improving your short game--which includes chipping, putting, pitching and sand shots--is essential to being able to do this consistently. Practice the mental and physical aspects of your short golf game at least as much as your power game, involving tee and long iron shots.
Step 1
Learn how to read greens properly by visualizing how the ball will roll if you hit it the perfect speed. Stand on the opposite side of the hole from the ball to determine how the ball will roll during the last 6 feet before the hole. Then move behind the ball to estimate by how much the ball would miss if you hit it directly at the hole. Pick a spot on the opposite side of the hole approximately three times that distance, and aim at that spot when chipping or putting. For example, if you estimate the ball will miss the hole to the right by 1 foot if you hit it directly at the hole, then aim to a spot about 3 feet to the left of the hole.
Step 2
Practice chipping and putting with 6-inch, 12-inch and 18-inch backswings to determine about how far the ball will travel with each. Follow through slightly farther than your backswing. This will help you determine how hard to swing on the course, based on the distance between your ball and the hole.
Step 3
Practice using different backswing lengths with your wedges to learn how to hit the ball various distances. Use your front arm as a reference, seeing how far you hit the ball when you stop your front arm below horizontal, horizontal and above horizontal. This will help you choose the correct club and determine how hard to swing on the course.
Step 4
Work on your putting mechanics every day, either at home or on a practice green. Stand with your feet parallel to your aim line and your eyes directly above the ball. Tilt your shoulders back and then forward to move the putter away from and through the ball smoothly, keeping the putter face square to your aim line. Follow through slightly longer than your backswing to ensure acceleration through impact.
Step 5
Practice chipping mechanics on a practice green as often as possible. Set up with your feet close together, open slightly, and your club face square to your aim line. Turn away from the ball and then back through, using your body to power the club. Keep the handle ahead of the club face to promote crisp contact with the ball. Follow through longer than your backswing.
Step 6
Learn how to hit the ball out of the sand effectively. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, open about 45 degrees, and with the ball closer to your front foot than your back. Position the club face square to your aim line, but swing along your foot line. Contact the sand a couple inches behind the ball to cut underneath it and send it softly into the air. Accelerate the club past contact into your follow-through.
References
- "Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible"; Dave Pelz with James A. Frank; 2000
- "Dave Pelz's Putting Bible"; Dave Pelz with James A. Frank; 2000
- Golf Digest: 10 Rules For Reading Greens
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