Why have I always been told to work most on my short game?

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Was that aimed at me somehow or the guy I was quoting in my post? Since it's pretty consistent with what I've just said, I'm not sure.

I was just adding that part of it as a general ending thought.  Not specifically directed to you....I should've started a new paragraph.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by B-Con

But I maintain that high scoring players have terrible short games on average. Between myself and others, I've seen countless greens missed from just 30 yards out and simple 12 foot chips get left 7 feet from the hole. With a competent short game, you should be hitting those greens from 30 yards and be able to turn 12 foot chips into up-and-downs most of the time. That sort of thing will play itself out a few times a round and cost the player a stroke nearly every time it happens.

You also see plenty of times with the full swing where they top the ball, slice it 30 yards into the woods, the water, or OB, hit the ball fat and send the divot farther than the ball, etc.

Statistically, in general, again 60/30/10 doesn't leave no time for short game. Just not this "80% of your strokes are from within 100 yards, so spend 80% of your time practicing the short game" crap.

Originally Posted by B-Con

So for really high shooting players (say, 95+), I have to wonder if the quickest way for most of them to drop a few strokes would be to improve their short game.

That's not really the debate. I've said as much. Yes, the quickest way is to do that. Most average golfers have a better short game than a long game. Practicing the short game a little bit will put these golfers you're making up into that majority.

[B-Con]

That's not really the debate. I've said as much. Yes, the quickest way is to do that.

Yeah, I was agreeing with your statements on that. I should've quoted you. [quote name="iacas" url="/forum/thread/47703/why-have-i-always-been-told-to-work-most-on-my-short-game/252#post_630502"]Most average golfers have a better short game than a long game. Practicing the short game a little bit will put these golfers you're making up into that majority.

[/quote] They're not made up. I play with them. I was one of them. The short game may be the easiest to quickly improve when you're at that level, but there are plenty of people who haven't done it. [edit] And in no way am I disagreeing with the suggested 60/30/10 time allotment. Just musing on which of them which would have the quickest payoff. Although I suppose that's off topic...