When it comes to consistently scoring well in golf, the biggest factor is how well you perform inside of 100 yards. While this doesn’t mean that you should disregard the long game, inside 100 yards is where amateur players take the most shots.
The short game is broken down into many different types of shots, from pitching to chipping, bunker play to flop shots. There is such a wide array of shots to learn that it can be a bit overwhelming to practice them all. Not everyone will be able to blast the ball 300+ yards off the tee, but most people can chip and pitch well if they put in the practice.
The importance of the short game
The short game is often neglected by amateur golfers and professionals alike. Most people prefer to be pounding balls on the range rather than chipping out at the practice green. People who get lessons usually get them for their long game and wouldn’t dream of getting a short game lesson.
However, by becoming more consistent with your short game, your scores will improve and you will get less frustrated out on the course. With a few simple tips and a handy drill, you will be well on your way to achieving this.
Consistently striking your short game shots cleanly
When it comes to the short game, the two most common mistakes that players make are hitting the ball fat or hitting it thin. The former is when you hit the ground first and your ball only trickles a few yards. Hitting the ball thin means that anyone on the far side of the green better watch out, as the ball will be flying low along the ground and through the green towards them. This happens when only the top portion of the ball is hit.
To hit your short shots consistently well, you need to first strike the ball, then the ground. Both are needed to consistently hit good shots, which goes for your iron play in general.
Your setup over the ball plays a large part as to how well you strike your shot. You want your head to be directly in line with your belt buckle, your shoulders level and the arms kept loose and soft. You will want to open the clubface slightly while having a narrow stance with your back foot square and your leading foot slightly turned out facing the target. Finally, you want your sternum to be over the ball, just in front of it.
Now that you are properly set up, it will be hard to not hit the ball cleanly. Simply bring the shaft through your normal swing arc and through the ball.
The best drill for improving your short game overnight
Perhaps the best way to get your short game up to scratch is to practice in a pressurized situation. Most people can hit the ball reasonably well in practice, but when they get out onto the course, the pressure of the shot often gets to them.
The par 18 drill is a great way to overcome this feeling of pressure out on the course. From around the practice green, you need to choose nine different locations. Choose three easy, three of a medium difficulty and three from a hard position. These could be a variety of shot types, from flop shots, bump and runs or bunker play.
Each of these positions is a mini-hole and is a par 2. You should record your total score for the nine holes and try to beat it. The element of having each practice host count for something is the best form of practice there is. You can make it even tougher by competing in this par 18 game against a friend. Your short game will literally transform overnight if you use this drill regularly.
— Andrew O’Malley