short game is a joke

**Mr Eagle** · May 26, 2008

Ok I need help. Driving has never been better, long irons ok if not great am getting the distance.Putting is good in mostly being lagged up and tap in.
The big problem is the pitching and chipping.Just cant get it ,unless Im at a distance where I can take a full swing I cant get anywhere near the pin.
Tried bump and runs (over the back of the green),short chips (leave the ball more or less where it is) topping,shanking thinning you name it I do it ,but only when I am around the green taking half swings.Its destroying my game,get up to the side of the green in two on a par 5 and walk off with an 8

HELP

**golfchief** · May 26, 2008

You have many options to try,first how close around the green are you talking? I like to chip around the greens (20yrds and closer) with a putting stroke using an eight iron. you can use any club but stroke it as a putt instead of a chip.

**blackxpress** · May 26, 2008

If you don't have one already, think about getting a lob wedge and then spend a whole lot of time at the range learning to hit it consistently. I had the same problem you describe and have pretty much cured it with my 60* wedge. It sounds like your biggest problem is deceleration. You're afraid of flying the green so you pull up during the downswing which causes all the problems you mention. In my case, I've learned to hit the lob wedge for all my shots from about 50 yds. in to the fringe. The distance determines the amount of backswing and follow through. Once I've got that part figured out I just make sure I concentrate on hitting down and through the ball without slowing down my swing.

Tin Pot · May 26, 2008

I've been suffering under 20 yards and sorted it out last weekend with a net 59.

For me, my technique was good, but my shot choice was appalling. Now I seem to have got the hang of when to putt from the fairway, when to chip with a mid iron, and when to chip with a wedge.

**Dent** · May 26, 2008

Im the exact same way right now. One thing I realize I dont do sometimes If its a long chip is im too agressive, I attack the pin too much trying to get as close as possible.

Estimate the Land, the bounce, and the roll.

B.K. golfer · May 26, 2008

I have been carrying my 52 gap wedge in my car and hit the practice area at a couple local courses as much as I can. I am confident chipping with my 7 and usually getting it close, not so consistent with my pitches. I also have a park down the street and pitch at my kids hoola hoop, my plan is practice as much as I can. When I am on the course i have more confidence when I grab that club, instead of the dreaded negative feeling when I reach for the club.

**Scott_Tee** · May 26, 2008

Chip with a 8 or 9 Iron, and swing or chip just as you do when you putt, use you putting grip also. This is a legitimate method, allot of the pros on the LPGA do it that way.

**iWALK18** · May 26, 2008

These are my checkpoints if i'm struggling. It sounds like a lot but it really isn't but if you do these things its pretty much impossible to hit it fat or thin it... I've been working on my short game very hard for the last 6 months and i've seen some great results with my method.

- Left arm straight
- Consistent posture and solid back leg (keep your right leg very firm (bend it at address but don't bend or straighten the knee while swinging as this will tend to give you bad contact. Keep the leg consistent). This will keep your body quiet, so you don't lift up or dip down.
- Use your shoulder muscles to swing (like someone said earlier, think "putting") and don't rush it, use nice tempo and accelerate through your shot.
- Don't hinge the wrists much at all (for chips), keep the left wrist in the same position through the whole swing, including follow through (meaning don't scoop)
- Begin your backswing with a very slight forward press and hold the wrist angle of you left wrist (This feels like your left wrist is leading the swing, and it ends up getting your wrist in a similar position to what you should be in for a full shot.)
- And put the ball back in your stance. I know you want to move it forward to get a higher softer shot, but that comes later. Just forget about hitting it high and work on consistent contact, which is much easier if you put the ball back of center, and just hit it lower.
- Pick a spot to land the ball, and imagine where you would have hit the ball for each of your practice swings. When you find one that feels right, duplicate it, and then adress the ball lookup once, and take the same exact swing.

If I am in the fairway or on the rough, I prefer to use a 50* gap wedge for most everything where i have room to run the ball out. Otherwise I use 60* (rough or closer pin placement)

I hope this helps.

**perlguy9** · May 26, 2008

I echo the recommendation to practice..

I was in a similar spot, where I was just terrified around the green -- afraid of hitting it fat, thin, etc.

Got a net to use as a target in the back yard, and now spending some time with my wedges back there really helps.

**thedub** · May 27, 2008

If you don't have one already, think about getting a lob wedge and then spend a whole lot of time at the range learning to hit it consistently. I had the same problem you describe and have pretty much cured it with my 60* wedge. It sounds like your biggest problem is deceleration. You're afraid of flying the green so you pull up during the downswing which causes all the problems you mention. In my case, I've learned to hit the lob wedge for all my shots from about 50 yds. in to the fringe. The distance determines the amount of backswing and follow through. Once I've got that part figured out I just make sure I concentrate on hitting down and through the ball without slowing down my swing.

what about a 52*, do you use this too??? thats what i use around the green and i have a 60*, but its tuff to hit.

I ahve the same problems the OP has, it sucks man!

**bruce** · May 27, 2008

You should get used to using one club around the green,i use a 56,i notice your a 22 handicap,make sure your stance is open when playing pitch and chips and your body weight favours your left leg,pick a spot on the green and aim for that,forget about the flag,and don't try and scoop the ball.When you have to hit a chip pitch around a green you should be used to one or two clubs and not confusing yourself with to many club choices.

**hawkeye** · May 27, 2008

i'll ask the obvious - do you practice your short game?

CBass1724 · May 27, 2008

I definitely agree with keeping your left wrist in the same position and not scooping. I try to keep my wrists firm and swing through the ball and not at the ball. Don't decelerate either and be sure to follow through.

If I am right next to the green I like using the 8 iron as well. You don't have to worry about hitting under the ball and chilly dipping it as it usually (for me) gets a good trajectory and good roll.

**Mr Eagle** · May 27, 2008

Thanks guys,a few of the points raised hit home.Im definatley not following through properly I am frightened of wacking it over the back of the green.
I have 2 lob wedges 58 & 64 which are great when as said before I can take a full swing,I do play in wet conditions a lot which takes the 64 out of the game.
Have tried most of the tips apart from putting with a mid iron, this sounds as if it could be a reliable stroke on flat approaches but a lot of the courses I play more often than not its an up and over to get on the green. I guess Ive just got to be more positive and stop hitting it like a girl !

Thanks for all the surgestions Ill be giving them a go

**hawkeye** · May 27, 2008

as posted in another thread:

Number 1 Rule to scoring low in golf is to use the least lofted club possible around the greens. (Number 2 is to put the drive into play., but some would argue the order.)

Not everyone will agree but give it a go.

**Mr Eagle** · May 27, 2008

That seems pretty sound advice hawkeye ,another favourite of mine on getting your score down is dont drink 4 pints of beer before you tee off!

**hawkeye** · May 27, 2008

That seems pretty sound advice hawkeye ,another favourite of mine on getting your score down is dont drink 4 pints of beer before you tee off!

hehe you could write a book - collate all the sound advice

**bflat450** · May 27, 2008

This is the key to effective chipping and how I have managed to keep chipping such a strong point of my game. The trick is to not take a slower swing on shorter chips but a shorter backswing. For example, if you want to make a little 10 yard chip... take the club barely back and accelerate as much as possible through the ball. Due to the short backswing you will have a short chip but will be solid and right on target because of the accelerating motion. For every 10 yards or so take another foot back in your backswing and ALWAYS accelerate through the ball. Hope this helps... if you need me to explain it more I will.

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