The short game is often overlooked, but perfecting the chip and pitch shots can reduce scores by eight to fourteen strokes
By: Curt Blakeney
During the course of a normal golf outing, the average golfer will find the ball lying less than 120 yards from the pin on numerous occasions. For an amateur golfer, it may happen on every hole. The proper use of the short irons — 9-iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge — can lead to lower scores. That is why the short irons are often referred to as “scoring clubs.”
As important as the short game is, very few individuals practice this aspect of the game. Yet, the short irons may be one of the simplest parts of the game to master. The shorter shaft makes them relatively easy to swing. Plus, you can practice pitch and chip shots in your backyard, or at a nearby park. Instead, when individuals warm up at a practice range they become obsessed with the driver and often ignore the short irons altogether.
Each short-game shot requires a slightly different swing, yet the object is the same — hit the ball as close to the pin as possible (or better yet, drop the little white sphere in the hole). The short irons are versatile: the four clubs can produce 20 to 30 different shots.
The two primary short-game shots are the chip and pitch.
Chip: Is a low-trajectory shot that maximizes distance traveled on the ground yet minimizes loft. A chip shot increases topspin. The object is to roll the ball, almost like a putt.
Pitch: A higher trajectory shot that maximizes loft yet minimizes distance on the ground. A pitch shot increases the backspin. The object is to drop the ball on the green with little roll.
Try the following tips for a more effective short game.
Chip
- Use a narrow stance with 80 percent of the body’s weight on the front foot. The majority of the weight should remain over the front foot throughout the swing.
- The stance should be slightly open to the target.
- The ball should be placed inside the back foot. The handle of the club is at a slight angle in front of the ball, called “de-lofting” the club.
- Use a short backswing and follow-through. The clubhead should never get above the waist.
- The wrists should be kept firm. Probably the most common mistake of amateurs is flipping the wrists.
- On the downswing, the hands should stay in front of the club.
- Strike the ball with a descending blow.
- After impact, the follow through is shortened and the path of the club should remain low.
- To develop control of the club, practice using only your left hand (for right handers) on the grip. Let the left hand lead the clubhead through impact. Once you’ve established that feel, place both hands back on the club.
- Change the club to change the distance. Use a 7-iron through a loft wedge for the chip shot. The lower the loft on the club, the farther the ball rolls on the ground. A lower lofted club reduces the angle of trajectory and backspin imparted to the ball. Practice your ranges.
Pitch
- Pitches generally require more backswing and subsequent follow though, than a chip.
- A pitch shot requires a slightly wider stance than the chip shot, approximately 8 to 10 inches.
- Choke up the handle. Keep the forearms and shoulders relaxed.
- Seventy percent of the body weight should be placed over the front foot (presetting the weight). Too much weight placed on the back foot causes you to get under the ball.
- The stance is slightly open and the ball should be placed in the middle of the stance.
- The length of the backswing will determine the distance of the shot.
- The wrists should hinge, but not bend. Breaking the wrists will pull the club off target and throw off your timing throughout.
- On the downswing, allow gravity to accelerate the clubhead gradually.
- Strike the ball with a descending blow, this creates loft and backspin. Never scoop the ball.
- After impact, the club should swing through. The swing tempo should remain constant. Do not quit on the shot. The club should travel the same distance on the follow-through as the backswing.
- The proper motion should feel like a sidearm toss.
- There are several backswing combinations — quarter, half, three-quarter and full — that determine the length of a pitch shot. Learn how far each travels.
The short game is all about consistency. Practice, practice, practice.