For many golfers, the short game is the spot where an entirely terrific round of golf can go completely downhill. While some may find the short game the easy part of golf, the vast majority usually find that this is a definite trouble spot. There are quite a few things that can go wrong with a short game, but we’ll cover some of the best tips to help you get back on the right track.
Picking the Right Club – Your short game can improve dramatically if you know which club to use. For example, if the situation calls for a nine iron and you are using a three, chances are you are not going to get the same result. Here’s an easy way to tell which club you should be using: Gauge the distance between your ball and the pin. If the distance is fairly short, less than seven feet, a pitching wedge is ideal. If you are several feet back from the pin, a seven iron will work better.
How to Get Air – A big part of the short game is being able to hit the ball so that it will pop up just like you need it to. This will take some practice, but the good news, you can easily do this at home, provided you have a decent sized back yard. You will need to learn where to hit the ball and how to change your swing so that you can pop the ball up reliably.
The key is keeping your wrists straight and your swing smooth. At no time should your wrists break during a chip shot, a pitch shot or any iron shot. That one slight change will help you get a lot more air under your ball and improve the distance. Try taking a few practice shots every day until you get the hang of it.
Learning How to Make it to the Pin – This is probably the worst area for most golfers, but again, a little practice will make a big difference. You can also try these exercises at home, and it will help to have a target that you can aim for. A Frisbee is a great target that you can place on the ground a few feet in front of you and it’s easy enough to change positions.
As you get better at landing on that Frisbee each time, go a little smaller and use the lid off of a cottage cheese container. Keep going until you get down to the size of the hole and you’ll have it made. With regular practice, this should not take long to accomplish.
There are no real instant fixes to any short game, but by following the tips above you can see a marked improvement, especially if you practice regularly. Keep trying and don’t give up! With time and diligence, your short game will improve. Don’t forget to keep going on the practice sessions once you’ve got the feel down to make sure that your results are long term.
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