Golf is a highly skilled game and with that you must be able to determine the situation, choose the right shot, and execute it correctly. There is a lot of versatility in the game and golfers need to be able to execute different shots from different places. Short game is a big part of golf and can sometimes be the most difficult. When close to the green confidence is key. You do not want to be afraid of hitting it too hard or you’ll find yourself decelerating and only hit the ball a few feet. You also do not want to accelerate too much and find yourself on the other side of the green way past the hole. You must be precise with your shot and confident. A better short game will lead to less strokes. Here are some key fundamentals and different shot types for improving your short game.
Chipping from the grass
The two key fundamentals for chipping are to have the ball in the back of the stance and to make sure to brush the grass. They key to being consistent with chipping is to ensure you hit the ball in a downward motion. By moving the ball in the back of your stance you are setting up to strike the ball in that downward motion. Brushing the grass also helps hit the ball in a downswing and on the club face. If you are still struggling to chip consider opening your stance as this increases your angle of attack, and once again aiding you in that necessary downswing.
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Chipping from the sand
When in the bunker you want to follow most of the chipping instructions but change a few things. Remember grounding a club in the bunker is a two-stroke penalty so try and take the practice swings outside the bunker or while in it do not touch the club to the sand. With a chip from the sand try and use a high lofted wedge such as a 56 degree wedge, 60 degree wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge depending on the height of the lip and distance to the hole.
The goal of this shot is to land the ball before the hole and run it the rest of the way. Put the ball in the back of your stance and open your front foot a bit. Dig your feet into the sand to get a better grip. Open the club face and make the stroke with little wrist break. Make sure to place most of your weight on the front foot during the swing. Catching the ball cleanly with taking only a little bit of sand helps carry the ball further and also helps in bunkers with thin sand. If it’s a shorter shot or the bunker has thicker sand you’ll want to catch more sand with your swing. There are many different methods to chipping out of a sand bunker such as the blast or traditional method, this is just one way of many.
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Putting on the green
Two key fundamentals include having your thumbs down the middle and eyes directly over the ball. Having your thumbs down the middle helps put your palms parallel to each other in a natural hanging position. By putting you hands in the neutral and natural position you are better able to return to the ball with a square club face. You want to make sure your eyes are over the ball as it puts you in a more athletic position, allowing you to more easily take the club straight back and follow through. This also allows for proper perception of the line. Being too far inside or outside can affect how you perceive the line on your putter, meaning you may feel you are lined up properly but are in fact aiming outside the hole.
Bump and Run
The bump and run shot is great for being on the fringe or a bit farther off the fringe. Not a lot of golfers use this because they don’t know how effective it really is. This type of shot helps keep the ball lower to the ground and rolling forward with no backspin. It is a more precise shot, close to putting, but using irons to do so. You’ll need to make sure to read the green carefully. Depending on the distance to the hole, you can use an 8 iron or lower including your fairway woods. This type of shot is most effective if you use a 6, 7, or 8 iron though.
The key to the bump and run is to swing the club as if you are putting the ball. With this shot you’ll need to combine the tips on putting and chipping to effectively hit the ball. Put the ball in the back of your widened stance and open up your front foot. Choke up on the club and create the “V” with your arms. Pull back the club and smoothly make your swing without using your wrists. You’ll get a little hop at the beginning and it’ll roll. This is a great shot if you find yourself hesitating between a chip shot and putting.
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Here at Lincoln City Golf, we offer a ton of lessons including short game lessons. We have lessons for all ages and all skill levels. If you are interested in improving your short game or long game then check out the lessons page on the website to find out more information and ways to get in contact with the instructors.
It really helped when you said to use a 60 degree wedge to help chip the ball out of the bunker. My uncle is coming to town next week and wants to spend most of the time golfing with us. I’ll have to use these tips to make sure I can keep up with him on the course.
I actually learn something every time I read your lesson, Simple and easy.
Thank you very much for your wonderful tips. Short games are very important. You can toss the ball in the air and hit for 150 yards but it won’t help if you don’t know how to hole it from a close distance. Very informative guide here. I actually will recommend this post to all the newcomers. They will learn something valuable.