You can’t make up strokes from the tee box or the green. But from 25 yards and in is a different story. You can do a lot from there to save strokes. As one great golfer said, the game is played from 100 yards and in. Chip, pitch, and bunker shots impact your score than you might think. So if you can’t break 90 or 100, maybe it’s time to revive your short game.
Below are six keys to reviving your short game:
- Play the ball a clubhead from the front foot
Shift your weight to the front foot
Don’t scoop the ball
Keep hands in line with your front leg
Rotate your body through the shot
Release the hands after impact
Playing the ball back, trying to scoop the ball, and placing your weight on your back foot are the three most common short game mistakes. With most short game shots, play the ball a clubhead from the front foot, shift your weight forward, and don’t try to scoop the ball. Scoopers don’t understand the mechanics of chipping or pitching. Instead of trying to scoop the ball, let the club work for you. Trust that it has the loft to do the trick.
In addition, align your hands with your front leg at address, rotate your body through the shot, and release your hands after impact. Aligning your hands encourages a downward blow. Rotating your body allows your hands to reach the impact zone at just the right time. And “knocking your knees” on the follow through says you’ve hit the shot correctly, whether it’s from the grass or a bunker.
If your scores are suffering, maybe it’s time to resuscitate your short game. Check your mechanics to see if you’re making any mechanical mistakes. If you are, first eliminate them. Then, watch your scores drop.
