Everyone talks about their drives but what about your short game?

[FutureTourPro]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

I use anything from my 3-hybrid to my LW to get up and down.  A lot of people only seem to think about their wedges when it comes to short game but you have to think outside the box sometimes.  A chip with a hybrid is a much safer and much smarter shot than trying to flop it up next to the hole with a lob wedge.  It might not be as sexy but it is more effective.

I so totally agree why risk it when you can just tap it and it will roll all the way to hole.

[FutureTourPro]

Originally Posted by phillyk

With my short game, I like to keep it as simple as possible.  I use my 52° wedge for just about every situation, unless I need my 60 to hit a flop, which I'm fully capable of doing.  But, by keeping myself to using one club to chip and pitch, my feel around the greens has drastically improved.  I know how the ball will roll every time and I can plan where I want to land the ball based on the contours of the green.

I actually hit the range yesterday and am pretty sure i figured myself out.  It was the difference of about 5-10 yds left or right before.  My problem was weight distribution at address.  By putting more weight on my left foot and bringing my hands a little bit further forward of the club head, I was able to control my draw more than i had.

Yeah, you really gotta pay attention to where you put your weight, also gotta check how your alignment is as well!

[cruzthepug]

My short game is horrible. I've been tracking my stats for the last 80 rounds and I get up and down 39%. I blamed my poor chipping during the winter to lack of grass but now that we have plenty of grass it hasn't improved much. Luckily I've been driving the ball well and my iron play has been pretty good. Today I hit 12/14 fairways and 10/18 greens and shot 78 (with a double and a triple). Lately I've been using my hybrid around the greens with descent results, but if I have to carry much rough I'm in trouble. I've tried everything from my 58 to a 8 iron and nothing is cosistant. My tendency is to hit it thin, but I have my share of fat chips as well. I guess I really don't practice chipping enough. I do try to practice chipping when I go the range and feel like I practice pretty good, but it don't work on the course, and since both weekend rounds are money games I normally play it pretty safe with the hybrid or putter. Very frustrating :~(

[Roblar]

Originally Posted by FutureTourPro

...lots of sensible sounding advice...

Thanks!  I'll definitely try the alignment stuff the next time I'm at the range.  ...and I *do* hit the ball high, and I *do* get much better results when I take a shorter backswing.  (I'm also sure that I'm coming over the top and swinging out--->in -- I do a bit to work on that, but I haven't had much luck carrying that over into a round.)

On a short-game related note:  I have been working on the 58 at the chipping green, but I think I'll follow the suggestion above and hit most shots on course with the 52.

I am also unafraid to use a 8 or 9 iron when really close to the green - something with just enough loft to land on the green and roll all the way to the cup.  (Hey - it could happen!)

[FutureTourPro]

Originally Posted by Roblar

Thanks!  I'll definitely try the alignment stuff the next time I'm at the range.  ...and I *do* hit the ball high, and I *do* get much better results when I take a shorter backswing.  (I'm also sure that I'm coming over the top and swinging out--->in -- I do a bit to work on that, but I haven't had much luck carrying that over into a round.)

On a short-game related note:  I have been working on the 58 at the chipping green, but I think I'll follow the suggestion above and hit most shots on course with the 52.

I am also unafraid to use a 8 or 9 iron when really close to the green - something with just enough loft to land on the green and roll all the way to the cup.  (Hey - it could happen!)

Just when you start flaring your shots just think shorter swing. I hope this all helps! and If you ever have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!

[bplewis24]

If I have a lot of green to work with, close to the green and the ball is sitting up (meaning no grass behind it), I use my 9 iron and try to fly it about 1/3rd to 2/5ths of the way to the hole.  Any other situation, I use my 60*.  My short game is pretty solid even though I never practice it.

Brandon

[teamroper60]

My biggest problems are chipping and putting..........

The putting is basically not getting the feel for the speed of the greens......    Sometimes I don't hit it hard enough and sometimes I hit it too hard.....

Funny thing is, the biggest problem with my chipping is trusting myself!    On the practice greens, I do really well but once I hit the course, I choke.  I can take my practice swings, look at the spot I want to hit and if I trust myself, I will usually get pretty close to being where I want to be.   But I have this habit of second guessing myself just as I start the swing and end up messing it up really bad....  BTW, I do almost all my chipping with my PW.   I tried the whole changing clubs depending on distance thing and was very inconsistent even on the practice greens...    By sticking with the one club, I do a better job (at least during practice)..

[lumpuckeroo]

I'm probably in the minority on this, but I use one wedge for everything.  I chip, pitch, flop, sand it with one wedge, my gap wedge.  For what ever reason it suits me best, so pretty much anything for 100 yards in I use my gap wedge.  I've spent a lot of time with it and can create all types of shots, hit floaters, low spinners, just about anything I need.  Lately I have been using it out of bunkers also, just my go to club.