The Short game: How confident are you?

[CG031]

Technique is tecnique on short game. On some shots, I use the "proper" technique as seen in magazines, books, and videos from pro's and teaching pro's...but sometimes, I have so much confidence in my feel, and work I've put in, that I can hit any shot. Sometimes I go away from the "don't break your wrist" type of chipping, and do different type of shots.

So who here has ultimate confidence in their short game? I've noticed lately that I just have ULTIMATE confidence, that I honestly can pull off any shot around the green that I need to, I used to never feel this way.

I know a lot of friends who have the right technique, but have ZERO confidence that they won't chunk it, skull it, etc...and they are not good feel or short game players - and I think that's why -- confidence. Obviously by praciting more, you gain more confidence, but there's some people I know who practice a lot, but still don't have confidence on the course that they won't mess up an easy chip, or be able to pull of that amazing flop shot...

So who here can honestly say they've lost/don't have confidence in their short game? What do you think that's a product of? Lack of practice, or just nervousness that you can't pull off the shot, or just the fact you don't think you have the right technique? Once you get this confidence, you become lights out around the green, and I've finally feel like I got that.

[FlopShotArtist]

If I have a wedge in my hands, I can put it within 10 ft from the pin almost always. Of course, I'll most likely miss the putt because my putting game blows, but I am VERY CONFIDENT in my wedge-game.

[Long_Ball_Bogey]

I'm all about feel in my short game. I practice it religiously & I will practice the same shot using various techniques from the same lie so that I know what result each technique will produce. Once I'm on the course, I go with the one that feels right.--LBB

[TCCcaddie]

The short game is confidence. If you are not confident in your putting then you get the yips and pull or push the ball. If you are not confident in your chippinng most of the time you skull the ball. And if you are not confident in your sand game alot of the time you catch it clean or dont get it out. You need to trust your skills in order to be good around the greens.

[Alex B]

My short game (pitching, chipping, sand play, and especially putting) sucks; thus, my confidence is really low.

[cwcaesar]

I am in the Some Confidence range, but I believe that with practice that I could get much more control of my short game.

[mb22]

Pretty confident with my 60 degree due to hours of practice, somewhat confident with my putter. Zero confident in anything else (hence the 19 handicap, soon to be going up).

[Southpaw]

Depends what kind of shot. I am very confident in green-side bunker and short pitch shots, but other than that I'm lacking confidence.

No worries though, just gotta practice. Which is what I'll be doing tomorrow. :)

[mruseless]

Visualization really helps for me, especially when my confidence is taking a hit. I say "believe" to myself, then try to picture the shot in my head, then try to think of nothing else but that visual while I swing.

[TigerCurtis333]

Short game is my strength, especially chipping as of late. Everything I've hit I've put maybe 3 feet short but dead at the hole. But with me, I'm guessing I'll shank one sooner or later.

[Lange]

I feel very comfortable being on the greens probably my strongest point in my game, taking long putts is no problem at all, as i feel like i can at least get it within 3 feet. 4 Footers have become more and more of a easy putt.

[b-squared]

I could say I'm confident with my short game , although it still should not be the main focus of one's game. For me, it's still about course management ...

[bogeyhitter25]

I'd much rather be in the rough around the green than on the green but 30 feet away. I can never get the right speed for the putt. Either it goes halfway, or it goes way past the hole. So I can be confident with a wedge. But not with a putter.

[CG031]

I could say I'm confident with my short game

I disagree. It's how you score. I've had days where I've hit the ball terrible, all over the place, or just not solid in general, and i've scored way better than I do on days I hit the ball great but can't make a putt/chip.

[Three Putt]

Pretty Confident, use my 54* CG12 (favorite club) for most everything (Flop, Pitch, open face chips through deep rough, etc...) except 8 thru PW bump and runs.

[Cody]

After today i wasn't very confident, but today..I was demoing a set of mizuno mx-19 irons(which im buying now ) and i hit a gap wedge from all distances within 100 yards and hit the green almost every time, and i putt better than anybody in my group. Only 1 3-putt on the whole 18 and i had 3 1-putts.

Good day!

[mruseless]

I disagree. It's how you score. I've had days where I've hit the ball terrible, all over the place, or just not solid in general, and i've scored way better than I do on days I hit the ball great but can't make a putt/chip.

I'm definitely a Dave Pelz guy too. I use his system for wedge shots and it works pretty well.