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begin I believe very strongly most golfers' spend far too
little time on their short games. In my opinion, if you
examine closely Tiger Woods' performances you will see his
greatest asset and strength is his short game. It is this
magical short game which gives him the confidence and license
to go for just about everything. Here are some thoughts:
a. The clubs I use for the short game are 7-PW & SW
& LW. That's it! If I want a chip shot to go lower I
simply forward press my 7 iron into a 6 or 5 iron. I don't
like going any lower than a 7 iron because the clubs are too
long in length and too difficult to maneuver and control. With
regard to the lob wedge most recreational golfers use them far
too much. A lob wedge is a specialty club and used only for
very particular shots; use it sparingly.
b. In hitting all short shots try to imagine the shot. How
far in the air, how far on the ground. Remember how I tossed
the ball from ground level. Where do you want the ball to
land, which way is the break going to take the ball, is the
shot up or down or sideways etc. Then, fit the club choice to
the shape of the shot. I NEVER pre determnine a shot or the
club to hit it before I study it!!!!! You have to be clever!
Most golfers treat the short shots with far too little
respect.
c. When addressing a short shot I like to think everything
is getting minaturized. I like to grip the club shorter, have
a much narrower stance, come closer to the ball with my eye
almost over the ball, and most importantly favour my front
foot. I place (60%) of my weight on the leading foot
throughout the shot. There is NO transfer of weight.
d. When swinging the club I like to think of a pendulum
type of swing, nothing hurried or quick! Think smooth! I
generally like my backswing to be much the same length as my
follow through. When I stop the club on the follow through the
face of the club is still somewhat pointed at the target. Do
not allow the left wrist to breakdown....the most common fault
in chipping/pitching; in putting too!
e. When practicing your chipping try shots from all angles
and lies. Short grass, long grass, up hill, down hill, close
in, far away. Obviously the more fluent you are with
conditions and predicaments the better you will perform. There
is a solution to every shot....
f. As I have stated re the long game, get a pre-shot
routine. Step 1...Set the club, Step 2...Set the feet and ball
position, Step 3...Secure the hands, Step 4...Pick your
landing zone, Step 5 Swing thoughts.... Pre-shot routines slow
a golfer down; very few, if any good shots are hit in
haste.
g. When I chip I think only of sinking it! Isn't that the
object of the game. I do not play to get close. As I have
mentioned before, GOLF IS A GAME OF SCORE!
Cheers,
Scott
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