Mastering Your Short Game - Part 1
What is “short game” and why is it so important?
As you learn the game of golf, the allure of hitting long drives off the tee may seem irresistible when you first begin. However, seasoned golfers and instructors alike emphasize the significance of prioritizing the short game at any stage of your golfing journey, but especially for beginners. From mastering the art of putting to perfecting your chipping and pitching skills, the short game holds the key to improving your score and your game. Intermediate golfers have likely honed their skills on the fairways and gained experience in various aspects of the game. For any level of golfer, mastery of the short game is the key to taking your game to the next level and realizing your true potential on the course. Before we discuss why I like to focus first on the short game with my students, allow me to briefly give an overview of “the scoring game” and define the short game in terms of yardage and what types of clubs will be used.
The short game in golf typically refers to the shots played within a relatively close range to the green, where precision and finesse are essential to achieve successful outcomes. The yardage covered by the short game shots can vary, but it generally includes shots played from around 100 yards and in, up to the green itself. The primary clubs used in the short game are short irons, wedges and a putter, each designed for specific distances and shot types. Here's a breakdown of the yardage and clubs commonly used in the short game:
Putting:
Yardage: Putting takes place on the green or near the green, covering a range of distances based on the length of the putt. Short putts are typically inside 6 feet, medium-length putts can be between 6 to 20 feet, and long putts can exceed 20 feet.
Club Used: Putter - The putter is exclusively used for rolling the ball along the ground on the green to reach the hole.
Chipping:
Yardage: Chipping refers to shots played near the green, typically from just off the putting surface to a few yards away from the green.
Clubs Used: Wedges - The most common wedges used for chipping are the short irons, pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. Each offers different degrees of loft, allowing golfers to control trajectory and distance on these delicate shots.
Pitching:
Yardage: Pitching shots are typically played from distances ranging from around 30 to 100 yards.
Clubs Used: Wedges - Golfers commonly use their 9 iron, pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge for pitching, depending on the required loft and carry distance.
Bunker Shots:
Yardage: Bunker shots are played from sand bunkers, typically ranging from a few yards to around 50 yards from the green.
Clubs Used: Sand Wedge - The sand or lob wedges are the primary club used for escaping bunkers due to its loft and bounce design, which helps the club glide through the sand smoothly.
Approach Shots:
Yardage: While some approach shots fall under the short game category, longer approach shots can extend from 100 yards to around 200 yards, depending on the golfer's skill level.
Clubs Used: Depending on the distance and required trajectory, golfers may use a variety of clubs, such as wedges, short irons (e.g., pitching wedge, gap wedge, 9-iron, 8-iron), mid-irons (e.g., 7-iron, 6-iron, 5-iron) and long irons or hybrids (e.g. 4-iron/hybrid, 3-iron.hybrid).
It's important to note that the yardages mentioned above are approximate and will vary based on a golfer's skill level and the specific layout of the golf course. Additionally, some golfers may have specialized wedges or prefer different club selections based on their playing style and individual strengths.
Here is a fellow golfer chipping during a recent round at Pinelands Golf Club, Hammonton, New Jersey.
Here I am putting….. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but these short putts can be nerve wracking! One slight movement out of alignment and you miss a close shot and take a big shot to the ego.
Now we’re ready to talk about the reasons why I focus on the short game with my students, first, regardless of their level of experience. Each lesson is specifically designed to meet the students needs but short game is a strong foundation to build around.
Immediate Impact on Scores:
The short game is often referred to as the "scoring game" for a reason. Putting, chipping, and pitching constitute a substantial portion of shots played during a round of golf. For beginner golfers, building these skills early on will lead to lower scores, heightened confidence, and a more gratifying experience on the course. For intermediate golfers seeking consistent improvement, the short game is essential. The ability to hit the ball close to the hole with pitch and chip shots leads to shorter putts improving your score dramatically.
Foundation of Consistency:
In the world of golf, consistency is the key to success. The short game provides an excellent foundation for developing consistent techniques and reliable shot-making abilities. By mastering the basics of putting, chipping, and pitching, you lay the groundwork for a repeatable and controlled swing, which will naturally extend to your longer shots/full-swing as your golfing journey progresses.
Learning Essential Fundamentals:
The short game introduces you to fundamental elements crucial to your overall golfing skills. From understanding proper grip, clubhead control, and alignment to honing your feel for distance and green reading, the short game encompasses vital aspects that form the bedrock of your golfing proficiency.
Putting: The putting stroke requires precision and touch. Short game lessons teach you the correct putting stance, grip, and stroke mechanics, along with reading greens and controlling the speed of your putts. The putting stroke is the most unique experience in golf. From the putter design to your individual stroke, putting is a very individualized aspect of any golfers game.
Chipping: Chipping requires finesse and accuracy. Short game instruction will introduce various chip shots, including bump-and-runs and flop shots, helping you navigate different situations around the green.
Pitching: Pitching involves loft and control. You'll learn different pitch shots, how to adjust for distance, and how to approach greens with confidence.
Confidence Booster
A strong short game can be a golfer's secret weapon, providing a significant boost in confidence on the course. When you can rely on your short game to get you out of tricky situations, your overall game improves, and you'll approach every shot with a newfound sense of assurance.
Time-Efficient Improvement
Starting with short game lessons offers a time-efficient way to see tangible improvement in your golfing skills. As you focus on the aspects of the game that directly impact your scoring, your progress will be evident in a shorter time frame, fueling your enthusiasm for the game and motivating you to continue honing your skills.
As a golfer looking to improve your score, focusing first on your short game is a strategic decision that will lead to tremendous growth and improvement on the course. From immediate impact on scores and a foundation of consistency to learning essential fundamentals and gaining a confidence boost, the short game lays the groundwork for your full-swing and successful golfing journey. Embrace the short game as the gateway to golfing success, and you'll soon find yourself mastering the greens and relishing the thrill of each successful putt, chip, and pitch. Invest time and effort into your short game early on, and watch as your golfing abilities grow, leading to a fulfilling and rewarding experience on the golf course.
Ready to improve your short game?
If you’re in southern/central New Jersey, the Philadelphia area or virtually anywhere through the GolfLive app, 9 Iron Golf is ready to help. If you want to improve your short game through lessons from an experienced instructor, look no further! Book a complimentary 15 minute consultation with me or a private lesson. We’ll find a practice facility or a range that works for both of us and we’ll get you on the path to being the golfer you want to be! If you’re far away or your schedule doesn’t allow you much time to meet me at a practice facility, no worries! We can connect and do a lesson together through the Golf Live App. With this app, I teach lessons virtually, in real-time, live and can offer coaching times to anyone, anywhere.
Fore the love of golf,
-Ryan
