short game practice

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By matthew s

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  1. matthew s

    matthew s
    rayliegh, essex

    Hi there 

    In 2015 the thing I want to focus on is getting my short game around the green and on it spot on so that I can use my shots to my full advantage ! The only problem I have is how to go about practicing efficiently and making good use of my practice time to improve on the course . Has anyone got any tips or drills that really help them with their short game . Would be much appreciated

    Thanks 

    Matt

  2. Greg B

    Greg B
    Gilbert, AZ

    What helped my short game the most was making sure when I am chipping, pitching, putting and working around the green that I used the exact same ball that I play each round with.  No sense in using range balls to practice short game because it won't replicate the spin and roll that your ball will.  This will give you a very good sense of how far to pitch and chip your ball to get the roll out you want.  It will also help your putting because you will get true roll. 

    I usually buy an extra dozen ProV1X just for chipping, putting, pitching and working around the greens.  I know it's not cheap, but when you are willing to put time and effort in your game, it helps to have the right tools.  

    My last advice is to practice the type of shots that you commonly play at your course.  If you like to hit flop shots because the greens are small then practice flop shots.  Work different types of clubs for each shot so that, no matter what, you are prepared and ready to face any shot.  Working on your short game is smart and you will see it on your score card!  Good luck, hit them straight and go Titleist!

  3. matthew s

    matthew s
    rayliegh, essex

    Thank you for your advice I only use pro v1 balls they are the best but I will use them for practice now regardless of cost like you say might as well use the balls you play with on the course ! I will try the drills you said and see how I get on #teamtitleist 

    Thanks 

    Matt

  4. Dr. Kovatchian

    Dr. Kovatchian
    Carlsbad

    Matthew-

    Try and pick up some tournament used Titleist Practice balls on eBay.

    You can usually get a pretty good deal.

    My Titleist Shag Bag is full.

    Tip:

    Practice various shots using only one wedge and a putter each session.

    Replicate your session using different wedges each time out.

    Try to hit all your shots with different lofts.

    I try to develop my feel and creativity when I practice....don't grind too much and have fun.

    Cheers!

    Dr. K

  5. Bob T

    Bob T
    East Otis, MA

    I really enjoy the short game approaches into the green.  What I did was to put a golf hole out in the yard.  I practice every evening after dinner with my favorite wedge.  Over a period of time and a lot of practice, I've built up a good consistent and accurate shot under different conditions.  When I'm out on the course I have confidence with it and just relax and do the shots that I've done over and over in the yard.  Hope this helps!!  Enjoy your short game and hit them close!!!!!!

  6. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    The short game is the weakest link in my game so I spend more time on it than anything else. I try to practice what killed me during real play. Here are some examples: You have to chip over a green side bunker to a short pin, same scenario but to a long pin. Chip to a pin that is located on a fast down slope. Practice 90% of your greenside bunker play to a pin that is 10 yards. Spend the other 10% on longer pin positions. Take a bucket of balls and string them out about 5 to 10 yards off the green and chip to the same pin trying to keep the balls to where you have a chance to get up and down. Take a bucket of balls and pitch to a pin that is 25 to 40 yards. Let's face it, most club golfers only hit about a 6 or 7 greens in regulation at the most so the short game will make or break your day.
  7. matthew s

    matthew s
    rayliegh, essex

    Thank you for your advice I will try this when I go out and practice and try to make my short game a lot better !

    Thanks 

    Matt

  8. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    Carl T said:

    The short game is the weakest link in my game so I spend more time on it than anything else. I try to practice what killed me during real play. Here are some examples: You have to chip over a green side bunker to a short pin, same scenario but to a long pin. Chip to a pin that is located on a fast down slope. Practice 90% of your greenside bunker play to a pin that is 10 yards. Spend the other 10% on longer pin positions. Take a bucket of balls and string them out about 5 to 10 yards off the green and chip to the same pin trying to keep the balls to where you have a chance to get up and down. Take a bucket of balls and pitch to a pin that is 25 to 40 yards. Let's face it, most club golfers only hit about a 6 or 7 greens in regulation at the most so the short game will make or break your day.
    Would like to add to this. Watched the Golf Channel last night and amateurs should practice their short game 70% of the time like the pros do. Amateurs hit the greens 6 or 7 times a round and only practice 10% on their short game.
  9. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    To practice my short game, I like to hot a lot of different shots all back to back in our short game practice area. We have two separate greens with 5 flags on each green. I scatter balls out and pick a different target for each shot. This really helps me develop feel for different length shots. I prefer my 60 degree wedge for this, but I will also make all of the same shots with by 55 degree Vokey and my gap wedge to really work on making shots with clubs that have different characteristics.
  10. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    I would like to add some more thoughts on the short game. This time of the year it is hard to chip from just off the green due to grass just coming out of it's winter dormancy. You are facing extremely tight lies that makes the usual wedge e.g., 54,56,58 or 60 hard to use. Under these condition I use a 6,7 or 8 iron with a putter stroke when the pin is more than 10 yards away and I do not have to carry a bunker. Even in the middle of the golf season I will use this technique if I have any concerns on chunking or sculling the ball due to the condition of the lie. I learned this from a professional golfer who plays out of my club. For those delicate short chips of less than 10 yards I may use a putter grip on my wedge but still hinge and hold using the chip swing. I like the thought of putt when you can, chip when you can't putt and pitch when you can't chip.
  11. Patrick E

    Patrick E
    Mechanicsville, VA

    This is a great subject.  Thank you for all the great responses and tips.  The short game is my biggest challenge and the key to lowering scores.  Lot of value in this forum.

  12. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military

    Never hit same shot twice, unless you're working on a specific technique.. To finish off the session, throw out 5 balls in random spots and chip/pitch and putt out.

  13. MADGOLFER

    MADGOLFER
    HENDERSON, NV

    Practice any chance you get...When I cant get to the the course I use T.V. time with the wife to practice my putting.. Buy one of those cheap battery operated ball returns,workon your five footers during commercials...MADGOLFER
  14. andy r

    andy r
    Cheshire, CT

    First thing would be to practice a go to chip shot and club. The one type of shot that when your under the gun you know you can count  on.

    Just work on that from varying distances.

    Then on to the bunker and work on different bunker shots, over and over again.

    Work on the higher softer bunker shots, then work on the lower chunk and run, plugged lie kind of shots.

    That type of short game practice with a purpose method has helped my game tremendously.

    Good luck !!

  15. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military

    I do three things for my short game that have worked out really well. First, I go to the chipping area and chip  5 balls and put them out. I either do 25 total or 50 total chips. An up and down counts for one point, a chip in counts for two. Then I figure out the percentage. If I can find a practice bunker, I do this with sandies as well.   I chip from good and bad lies. The second drill is on the putting green. I use one ball and put to all the holes on the green. Most of these will be medium to long putts. My goal is to average 2 putts or less per hole. Using these three drills, I've increased my up/down percentage by from the low 40's to high 50 percent and lowered my putting average per hole to 1.81.  

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