Backyard Short Game Practice

[GRK5under]

I'd be interested in community opinions on how to best emulate the conditions of pitching and chipping around the green while in one's backyard.  I struggle with shots around the green, both controlling distance and trajectory, and don't belong to a golf club close enough to my home that I can practice these shots as frequently as I'd like.  

As I continue along the path to becoming a better wedge player, I'd appreciate feedback on how to practice shots within 20 yards of a regulation style golf green that currently doesn't exist in my backyard.  

In other words, how do I go about developing a better feel for the carry and roll of wedge shots?  This would include shots from hard pan, as these really give me fits.  

Thanks in advance.

[freshmanUTA]

I try to only worry about distance when I practice in the backyard. Just remember the 60° will roll out like 3/4 the carry distance , the SW 1:1, the PW1:2 and so on. Where 1 is carry and 2 is roll. it's not exact but it helps 

[Patch]

Hard pan is easy. Just put down a half sheet of plywood, and hit off that. Still very tough to do. 

Don't know how big your back yard is. I built a practice green in our back yard many years ago using green indoor/out door carpet. It was 16' X 12'. To keep from destroying the permanent grass, I would chip/pitch off of replaceable sod. Of course my design was no match for the short game practice area at the course I frequented, but it did allow for some positive feed back. 

[GRK5under]

15 minutes ago, freshmanUTA said:

I try to only worry about distance when I practice in the backyard. Just remember the 60° will roll out like 3/4 the carry distance , the SW 1:1, the PW1:2 and so on. Where 1 is carry and 2 is roll. it's not exact but it helps 

This is excellent advice and so simple.  Thank you.

May I also ask how you duplicate hard pan?  My grass is generally very thick and full.  

Also, what about the idea of needing to move the ball 5 yards low versus 5 yards high, do you simply practice until you can consistently execute both of these shot types with all your wedges?

7 minutes ago, Patch said:

Hard pan is easy. Just put down a half sheet of plywood, and hit off that. Still very tough to do. 

Don't know how big your back yard is. I built a practice green in our back yard many years ago using green indoor/out door carpet. It was 16' X 12'. To keep from destroying the permanent grass, I would chip/pitch off of replaceable sod. Of course my design was no match for the short game practice area at the course I frequented, but it did allow for some positive feed back. 

Well my hard pan question has been answered, thank you very much. This is a great idea.  

May I also ask how you emulate the shot off of both moist and bare ground?  In this case the club can dig in just a bit and there is no grass to provide forgiveness.

Finally, any back yard practice green construction ideas that are not overly expensive would be appreciated.  Including pictures when possible.

Edited March 27, 2016 by GRK5under

[Patch]

I don't have that back yard green any longer. 

Moist and bare ground I use my metal woods for most shots. I just grip down on the club, and use what ever abbreviated stroke I might need. If I need to carry the ball over something I hit the ball a little on the thin side, trying to pick it clean off the surface. It's the same off hard pan for me. These are all what I call finesse shots, and a decent amount of practice should be devoted to them. I don't see many tough lies, but I still practice them. 

As for contructing a back yard green, the one thing you need to make sure is drainage. After that, your can go with what ever your imagination leads you to. If you go the carpet route, you want what ever you lay the carpet on to be firm to help to ensure smoothness. You dont want a lummpy green, and you dont want it too hard to avoid balls bouncing to much. 

[Barnacle Bob]

Pretty e-z, spray glysophate and kill an area of grass. Once its dead, lightly rake out the dead grass, it doesnt need to be perfect, just enuff to scratch the surface revealing some bare soil .... next procure some common bermuda grass and lightly mix with some ladino clover... note: The ladino naturally replaces nitrogen in the soil. 

Use a small seed hand spreader to sow the small bermuda grass & clover seeds... water & wait. If you really want it to take off once it is established, hit it with a high nitrogen fertilizer and soon you'll have a nice green carpet to chip from. 

Zoysia, bermuda maybe even blue grass will work, the main thing is you want a grass that spreads and can be mowed low without damage once the summer heat sets in.... 

Do not attempt to grow the hybrid bermuda or other exotic grasses unless your willing to devote some major time & expense with pesticides.... I tried this once and my area was destroyed by insects & worms... hence use common grass that is naturally resistant to insects & drought....

my $.02

[RH31]

I just weedwack an area down to whatever grass height I want to practice off of. Then I put down an alignment stick or bucket, anything that would symbolize the edge of the green. Then I just practice landing the ball on the spot I choose past the "fake" edge of the green. I have plenty of hardpan type spots in my yard! No way to really simulate run out though.

[nabzi]

I have concrete in my garden but I bought a chipping net from ebay for £12. I also bought a small patch of a range mat I use to chip the ball from and into the net.

Works ok but i'd prefer some fake grass or carpet for a better experience.