Short Game Strokesavers - Avoid common short game pitfalls

Hey, sometimes no matter how well you practice and prepare to play your best, you're going to have days where you struggle to hit greens and shoot lower scores. This is what makes the short game so important. You can have an off day when it comes to ballstriking, but if your short game is good, you can save some serious strokes and prevent what otherwise might have been a disastrous round. The following pages outline a few shots (and shotmaking decisions) that you ought to know come time to save a round of golf that just isn't going your way. Follow my advice, and you'll take pressure off the rest of your game and still shoot some decent scores.

CHOOSE WISELY
When it comes to hitting short shots around the green, don't limit yourself to just one club. I use a variety of irons and wedges, depending on what type of shot I face. And, yes, I do use a 6-iron from time to time. It's a great club for hitting short shots with maximum roll.

CHIP SHOT

PLAY FOR MAXIMUM ROLL (WHEN YOU CAN)
 
Speaking of maximum roll, it's always easier to control the ball while it's on the ground versus when it's in the air. The simple (and not only) reason is, the sooner you get the ball rolling, the less you have to worry about where the ball should land and how much spin will affect the shot. If you normally fly the ball closer to the hole with hopes it will check up consistently the way you want it, I have news for you: It won't. Your lie, the slope you're on, even the firmness of the green and your contact, all affect how much backspin you'll have on the ball. So, instead, plan on using as much green as you can, and get used to practicing your chips that roll more than they fly. This isn't always the case for every shot, but for most, more roll is the way to go.


MANAGE YOUR SET UP

I've been teaching golf for many years and I'm still surprised to see so many players ignore the importance of setting up correctly for chips and pitches. Usually, they lean back and hope to lift the ball up into the air.

To clear the record, setting up for a short shot is just as critical as any other. Get into an athletic position with the hands forward, the ball slightly back in the stance and your weight centered, or even slightly forward, if you prefer. Remember, you have plenty of loft, so no need to hang back and try and lift the ball up. The loft will do the work for you!


Reference Resource: http://www.golftipsmag.com/instruction/short-game/lessons/short-game-strokesavers.html