Short game
Whether you need work on your bunker play, wedges, or just around the green, improving your short game is one of the fastest ways to become a better golfer. Improving your short game is sure to pay off in lower scores, and these short game tips from our team of golf teachers can help.
Better short-game mechanics mean lower scores
The fastest way to lower your score is to improve your short game. It all starts with improving your mechanics. Yeah, that's right, it's almost impossible to have a consistent short game with bad mechanics. Let's work on improving those mechanics and improving your score.
... full article »Mastering the short game will improve your golf score
The Scoring Zone is where average golfers can dramatically improve their scores. There are three basic shots from within this distance: a low pitch, the medium pitch and the lob shot. Once you master the mechanics of these shots, you will see improvement in your scores.
... full article »It might be time to re-think what golf clubs you're carrying
It's time to get untraditional when deciding which 14 clubs to carry in your golf bag, Les Miller writes. Consider losing the difficult-to-hit fairway woods and long irons, and replacing them with hybrids. Also, take a page from the Phil Mickelson playbook and carry three or four wedges.
... full article »Landed in a bunker? Don't compound a bad shot with another bad shot
Many golfers shoot high scores because they follow one bad shot with another bad shot. Such is often the case with the dreaded flubbed bunker shot. Very often, average golfers try to hit miracle bunker shots that the pros practice every day. Truth is, when faced with a difficult bunker shot, the average golfer should take his medicine and just get the ball on the grass.
... full article »Whether chipping or pitching, setting up properly can save strokes around the greens
The difference between chipping and pitching is simply wrist action - chipping requires no wrist action, while pitching requires some wrist action due to the length or trajectory of the shot. The set-up, however, remains the same. Here are some seven points to work towards.
... full article »Brad Redding on improving your putter stroke
The proper setup is important, and one of its key elements is the right putter. The proper putter will allow the eyes to go over the ball, angle the hands beneath the shoulders and align the hips and the heels. Whereas the wrong putter will put the eyes too far inside, and it will align the waist and the heels, throwing off the putt.
... full article »Tina Mickelson on accelerating through the ball to get out of the greenside bunker
Tina Mickelson shows you how to accelerate through the ball when it is in a greenside bunker. The strategy that most players use when dealing with a greenside bunker is to stop abruptly or decelerate when the club hits the sand, which will not have the power to lift the ball out.
... full article »Brandel Chamblee on hitting chip-and-run shots with a 3-iron
Brandel Chamblee demonstrates how to execute a successful chip-and-run shot with a 3-iron. For the set up of the shot, he advises placing the ball forward in your stance, almost as if with a putter and the 3-iron upright.
... full article »Tina Mickelson on how to chip from a greenside rough
Tina Mickelson offers her advice on chipping from a greenside rough. It is important for golfers to note that they will not be able to get the same backspin on the ball in a greenside rough that they would on a tighter lie, which means that the ball needs a higher trajectory.
... full article »Jim Flick demonstrates an easy - but effective - drill to improve you putting
Noted PGA Professional Jim Flick offers a helpful drill in this video that will help you get a feel for the correct speed and distance when you are putting.
... full article »Jim Flick and Phil Blackmar offer practice drills that will give you better results
PGA Professional Jim Flick and Phil Blackmar team up in this video golf lesson to demonstrate a few helpful drills that will help you save a few strokes around any green.
... full article »Jim Flick and Phil Blackmar on making bunker shots easier
Phil Blackmar and Jim Flick demonstrate how to easily get out of a bunker. There is no need to change your regular swing, but you do need to change the set-up of your shot by opening yourself and the club slightly, and keeping most of your weight on the left leg.
... full article »Rick Barry on short- and long-distance bunker shots
Instructor Rick Barry shares how to play from a sand trap for both short and long distances. For the correct position, make sure the ball is back in your stance by aligning it with the inside of the back foot.
... full article »Brad Worthington on how to get out of a 50-yard bunker
This video golf lesson features Brad Worthington explaining the benefits of using a 6-iron on long bunker shots. When confronted with this type of shot, most golfers tend to use a pitching wedge to try to pick the ball off the sand, which has many possibilities for hitting the ball either too thin or too fat.
... full article »Jim Flick and Phil Blackmar on how to get out of a greenside rough, no matter your handicap
This video golf lesson shows any level handicapper how to get out of difficult greenside roughs. PGA Professional Jim Flick and Phil Blackmar lend their expertise to offer advice that is specific to your handicap level.
... full article »Get help controlling distance when putting
This video lesson features a drill that will help golfers control their distance when putting. The drill involves setting up and taking practice shots, but the important feature of this drill is to keep the eyes on the target rather than shifting from the ball to the target.
... full article »Short game expert Dave Pelz gives tips on playing Carnoustie
Dave Pelz, short game instructor to Phil Mickelson, examines Carnoustie and gives advice on how to handle its tall, thick rough. This classic Scottish links course tests golfer's short game skills and, as Pelz says, "it separates the great up-and-down players from the mediocre ones."
... full article »Three basic shots to help you master the short game
Getting up and down consistently from around the green is critical to improving your golf game, no matter what level of player you are. The three basic shots you need to know are high lob or flop, medium pitch and low chips. Master these three short game shots and see that handicap tumble.
... full article »Jack Olson breaks down the proper short pitch shot
This video lesson features Jack Olson demonstrating a short pitch shot. According to Olson, many golfers have trouble with this type of shot, but it is not as difficult as it seems.
... full article »Dean Reinmuth offers advice on long-distance lag putting
In this video golf lesson, Dean Reinmuth offers some advice on accurately gauging long putt distances, which will help golfers to lag the ball closer to the hole.
... full article »- Dave Pelz on how to improve your short-game aim
- Frank Nobilo on getting better results from your chip shots
- How to handle difficult lob shots
- Better short game equals lower scores
- An effective lob shot will improve your game
- Take the fear out of your bunker play
- Trevor Immelman on long putting
- Jim Furyk on long-distance bunker shots
- A smooth motion is the key to better chipping - and lower scores
- Retief Goosen on how to improve your short game
- Padraig Harrington on the basics of a pitch shot
- Bunker play tips designed especially for women or golfers with low club head speed
- The type of bunker sand in use can mean the difference between victory and defeat
- Lower scores by focusing on a short-game practice
- Short game before long to build consistency
- A recommended practice routine for your short game
- Tips for improving your short game
