Many golfers spend too much time working on their long game thinking that this is the key to improvement. Learning to spend more time in the short game is key to getting to a lower handicap as quickly as possible. This portion of golf consists of shots from 150 yards inside, including putting, chipping, and wedge shots. Spend as much time as you can working on wedge shots on the driving range, as hitting a lot of shots is the best way to develop the touch needed to be good at these shots.
Tips for snacking:
Chipping around the greens is an often overlooked aspect of the game of golf. The best players always try to hit the shot every time they are around the greens. Ball position during chipping is very important to ensure solid contact. Your feet should point to the left of the target at a 45 degree angle with the ball placed parallel to the right foot. This setup is ideal for most chips as it will promote a downward strike to the ball that will allow the ball to come out of the rough quickly with maximum spin and control. Hit and run shots are often the best option unless you don’t have a green to work with and have to rely on the flop shot. The only key difference to the flop shot is the placement of the ball, which should be more towards the middle of the stance or in line with the left foot (right-handed players). You will most likely want to use a raised wedge of 60 degrees or more for flop shots and also make sure the seat isn’t too tight and allows you to get under the ball.
Putting the ball well is undoubtedly another key aspect in the short game. Learning to putt well is primarily a mental challenge, as most people have the physical ability to be great golfers. Maintaining high levels of confidence is critical to being a great putter, so make sure you spend plenty of time putting within 10 feet, as this will allow you to see many putts on the hole, which will help build confidence levels. When facing a long putt, be sure to see the ball going into the hole on the last few rotations, don’t aim for large targets on long putts like a 3 foot circle, as this can increase your margin of error.