What are good drills to improve the short game?

[Golfing Dad]

What are the best puttng drills, chipping drills, pitching drills etc, in your opinion?

[aleski]

I practise up-and-downs and sand saves a lot, especially of late. Place ten balls randomly around the green and or in the bunker (from 60yds or closer). Try to hit shots as close to the flag as possible and one-putt to save 'par'.

For a chip-in, I reward myself with 3-points. A par save equals 1 point whereas a 2-putt will give me -1 points.

I practise until I have 15 points.

[Gilles]

For chipping and pitching, I practice on two different aspects : distance control and direction control.

For distance control I place a number of balls at different distances from the green and then chip or pitch to the hole, but never two in a row from the same distance.

For direction control I first put a number of tees with a flashy color in (or, for pitching, a larger object - for example brightly colored balls - on) different areas of the green. Then, from a same point, I chip or pitch towards the tees or objects, but again, never to in a row towards the same target.

For chipping, I also drill on chipping using different clubs (from i7 to SW) to get a feel for the percentage of carry and the percentage of roll. You can do the same with pitching.

No points system though, just drill on and on until I'm happy and confident (or until the wifey calls ).


G.

[Dub]

I love using tees.


On the putting green I'll find an area away from the cups and put a couple of tees in the ground at different spots and then try to putt to the tees. It will really get you focused on a pinpoint target..."aim small = miss small".


On the chipping green I'll put a 2 tees in the ground 3ft apart where I want to land the ball...making a gate, so to speak. I'll chip, landing it between the tees and watch it roll out to the hole from there.

Good luck. Have fun practicing your short game. Since my knee has been injured I don't practice full shots at all...but can take the confounded brace off and work on the short stuff.

[ks8829]

What are the best puttng drills, chipping drills, pitching drills etc, in your opinion?

Putting

1) practice straight putts of 1-5 feet 2) practice lag putting of 5-20 feet 3) use your feet as a guage of distance 4) focus on the following: a) grip and pressure b) ball position in relation with your eyes c) posture d) tempo e) shoulder vs arms and wrist f) read putts from the behind the hole looking at your ball and see where in the hole the ball needs to enter to make the putt and work backwards to see the line g) uphill and downhill putts visualize where the ball needs to travel too and where gravity takes over and then putt to that distance h) watch Tiger putt and copy his putting technique and learn his mental toughness for making putts when you need too. I) putt as though you need to make every putt to win the Masters J) learn a pre-putt routine and stick with it, under pressure this will help you relax and stay focus Chipping and pitching 1) focus on solid contact 2) focus on distance control 3) focus on direction Tips that helped me a) keep your hand extended to the ground but natural b) keep your hands close to your body c) take the club back on it natural arc without swaying d) rock with your shoulder and not just your arms e) practice and practice you will be rewarded with lower scores f) practice your putting first and work your way back from the hole to improve your overall game g) most beginners practice from the driver to the hole and its the just the opposite, practice from the hole back