Short Game Like All Is Terrible

[RunOfTheDill]

I'm sure there are posts everywhere but what are some things I can read or watch about short game. I watched the chipping video the other day my problems are more with anything about 10 to 15 out. 50 to a 100 i'm really good but anything I have to get any height on my shot i should just pretty much give up. I either hit it to short or way to far. I play the ball back in my stance and open my feet a little but I just can't do it. Any articles, videos, or books would be awsome.

[lamebums]

I'm sure there are posts everywhere but what are some things I can read or watch about short game. I watched the chipping video the other day my problems are more with anything about 10 to 15 out. 50 to a 100 i'm really good but anything I have to get any height on my shot i should just pretty much give up. I either hit it to short or way to far. I play the ball back in my stance and open my feet a little but I just can't do it. Any articles, videos, or books would be awsome.

If pitching the ball is your problem, take a chipping stance, and take a slow backswing until the club is about 10'o-clock. Accelerate through the ball and make sure your follow-through is at least as long as the backswing. I suggest you take a bucket of balls at the range and try to hit the 50 yard, 75 yard, and 100 yard markers, but mix them up and change your direction, so you don't get used to hitting the same shot.

If lofting the ball in the air is your problem, put the ball in the middle of your stance and open the clubface slightly. Compensate by opening your stance (aligning your feet to the left if you're a righty) and swinging a bit harder, because an open club face is usually a high short fade. Not as severe as a flop shot, but should be able to lob the ball into the air. Hope this helps. No pro, but I've watched about a million videos (and applied more than a few of them).

[sonicblue]

I'll just offer this: short shot success is basically about two things:

1) A simple plan
2) Trusting the plan

I think a lot of us amateurs tend to think very creatively on little pitches and chips, and it distracts from the necessary simplicity. For instance, you have a 25 yd pitch over a bunker, and you start thinking about flopping it, spinning it, etc..., when what you SHOULD do, is aim right or left to the nearest safe landing area, put the face of your sand wedge on the ball with a simple putt-like stroke and move on.

I made significant improvement in my short game when I boiled it down to a few simple things:

1) Select the simplest shot/plan
2) When you address the ball, make sure the club is pointed where you want the ball to go. Your swing should alter that alignment as little as possible. This isn't some big driver swing that you need awesome wrist hinge/lag for.
3) Take your practice swings with the thought of, you want hardly anything moving except your shoulders. Your body should move only to the extent it needs to do so to keep good balance, but your body should not be trying to generate any of the power (who needs power on a little pitch?), and your hands should not be trying to "hit at" or "steer" the ball (you've already aligned where you need to).
4) Always think "hit the ball first" to help eliminate fears of chunking or skulling. If your setup and balance are maintained, the club WILL strike slightly downward, so you won't skull it, and if you hit the ball first, you won't chunk it.
5) Hit the damn thing. With a little swing and a sand wedge, it won't go real far. It will pop up and shouldn't roll like mad, so go ahead and hit it. If you're still afraid, play it on the toe of the club and take that good "pop" swing at it. It will come off more dead off the toe.

In short, minimize all other action, just put the clubface on the ball with a very simple swing, trying to accomplish a very simple shot. You'll find that changing the amount of roll/carry, requires only very slight adjustments to ball position and club choice.

Last thing: do not underestimate the power of positive thinking. When you have a path to the hole, envision the ball getting to the hole and going in. You don't end up with many kick-in's when all you're trying to do is "not chunk it" or "just get it somewhere up there."

[laconic517]

I'll just offer this: short shot success is basically about two things:

to me if i hit it off the toe i get 0 spin and the ball rolls out pretty far, i realized thats why i wasnt spinning my pitch shots very much if at all, once i started standing closer to the ball, i started getting alot more spin on my pitches

[rubior]

I have just picked up playing again after laying out for about 5 years. But, this is what works for me, and still works after the lay off. For 30 yds and shorter: Feet closer together (about 3-4 inches apart). Point your feet in front of the ball about 40 degrees. slower backswing and put the impact point about 1/2 inch behind the ball. Don't try to lift the ball with the club.

Consider a loft wedge also, You don't have to be quite so worried about over hitting .

[JtotheD]

The most helpful tip I have ever found and still apply it every time I play.

Lean slightly towards the hole before impact.

This helps set your weight foward (about 75/25 inside left foot...right hander). You dont rock or sway at all. very consistent setup.

Good luck.

[Leek]

Here's my best tip for this. Break short game pratice into two segments.

First segment work on technique. Ingrain the technique and don't worry about where the ball goes.

Second segment, work on results; set up pick a target hit the ball to the target. Do this until you can do it without thinking about technique at all.

[RunOfTheDill]

I kinda have developed something that isn't anything. I have taken little tidbits from everywhere across the internet. I really don't want to waste a lesson with my instructor on something that if I learn proper techniques I could do on my own. The tips are all very helpful but almost all of them I have seen or heard from somewhere and already try to incomporate. I guess I'm really looking for a book or a very long article. Thanks for the tips though and I'll keep working on it.