Short Game is all over the place

[pkrazy]

I've been golfing for years, never taken a lesson, but every time I play my goal is to break 100 - my best ever was 92.

My latest issue has been with my short game from around the green -

If I am just off the green and near the flag, no problem, I can pop the ball up and make it come down with little or no roll.  However, when I'm just off the green and there is a ton of green between me and the flag, I pop it up, it falls, and I'm left with long putts where I should be putting them into the make able range.

How do I adjust for distance when hitting a soft chip onto the green?  Basically, how do I get the ball to roll after reaching the green versus just going up, down, and stopping?

[14ledo81]

Have you tried using a lower lofted club?  8 or 9 iron instead of using a wedge.  Should fly a little lower and roll a bit when it hits.

[pkrazy]

Someone at work suggested that this morning - however, I always thought it was where the ball was in your stance that determined how much air you got.

I'll have to go to the local range that has a short game area and try using different irons.

[Lihu]

Someone at work suggested that this morning - however, I always thought it was where the ball was in your stance that determined how much air you got.

I'll have to go to the local range that has a short game area and try using different irons.

I was kind of hoping to gain some wisdom in this thread rather than giving any suggestions, but try using "Rule of 12".

[mvmac]

I've been golfing for years, never taken a lesson, but every time I play my goal is to break 100 - my best ever was 92.

My latest issue has been with my short game from around the green -

If I am just off the green and near the flag, no problem, I can pop the ball up and make it come down with little or no roll.  However, when I'm just off the green and there is a ton of green between me and the flag, I pop it up, it falls, and I'm left with long putts where I should be putting them into the make able range.

How do I adjust for distance when hitting a soft chip onto the green?  Basically, how do I get the ball to roll after reaching the green versus just going up, down, and stopping?

Welcome to the site. Some good threads for you to check out.

[dave s]

I make small, manageable goals each season.  This season's goal is hitting chips and pitches ALL the way to the damn hole!  Don't know how many times in the past I've left a 30 yard pitch 20 feet SHORT of the hole.  It is imperative we get them ALL the way to the hole and THEN SOME.  Way too many missed up-and-down opportunities due to the same issue you mentioned.

Practice:  As another poster mentioned, practice with less lofted clubs than your sand wedge when your ball isn't down in the deep stuff.  Watch some videos, too.  Tons of great chipping/pitching vids out there.  One theory is getting it on the green and rolling toward the hole as soon as possible.  This definitely requires less-lofted club choice around the greens.  I'm not really keen anymore on flying it all the way there unless there are obstacles (traps, other bad stuff) between me and the pin.

Practice tip:  Go to a practice green with a tightly mowed approach area.  Start pitching with your SW to a hole near the back of the green.  Work your way down to an 8- or even a 7-iron using somewhat of a putting stroke with the longer clubs.  See how far you have to land each club onto the green to get it to roll all the out to the pin.

[vangator]

For most chips, I use a 9 iron if it's a normal shot without a ton on green. If there is a lot of green, I'll drop to an 8 or 7 iron. For a long chip, you'll have to swing a little harder, but that also imparts more spin making it more unpredictable unless you practice them. Take the lower lofted club and take an easier swing and it will release more like you're used to.