With a simple short game plan, you can lower your scores almost immediately.
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When it comes to improving your scores, the short game can be the key differentiator. If you have consistent success, you’re probably happy with your scorecard. But if you’re struggling, you’ll probably leave a round disappointed after leaving a few (doable) shots in there.
What makes the short game so complicated is the abundance of stroke types and club choices, as can get some creativity to build confidence and hit the shots you want.
So how can an amateur player do this? Building the right foundations to make a plan for any type of shot around the green.
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10 ways to make the perfect short game plan
Knowing the right questions to ask yourself to make the best decision and increase your chances of moving up and down is a bunch, so I suggest following these 10 tips to build your plan strong short game.
1. Know the difference between a chip and a step
Golf terms can be quite confusing, and this is one of the most misunderstood definitions. A chip is a short game shot where the ball will spin more than it carries. The pitch is a short game swing where the ball carries more than it spins. Even the setup and swing movements are different for each.
2. Putt, chip, pitch
Using this decision-making “formula” can help you save shots in the short game, as the least risky shot with the smallest margin of error is always the best choice. The smaller the stroke, the less chance for error.
3. Shooting too much
There are many places you can consider settling. For example, if you putt from too far from the green, you MUST Be willing to backstab quite a bit to achieve your goal. You can also. putt from the rough just off the green, but you have to be willing to bend over and tilt your shoulders toward the target.
If you are able to hit longer and long putts very well, it will help reduce the need to hit a chip or a fairway.
4. Set the type of shot
Once you’ve ruled out the skill of the putt, you need to decide whether you can chip or whether you should play. If you have more room to roll, you should always choose to rip (as it is less risky). So read the situation and see what hazards you might have to deal with – such as long grass or bunkers – to make your choice.
5. Chipping basics and club selection
If you’ve made the decision to chip, choose the best club choice for your hand shot, then simply use your normal setup and swing motion to control distance.
Grip under the grip, narrow your stance, move the center of the ball slightly back into position and lean toward the target. Next, make a similar putt stroke that is small in size and sweeps the grass.
6. Pitching basics and club selection
When you’re hitting a fairway shot, it means you have to go up and over something (like a bunker or long grass), so your club selection and set-up become very important.
The clubs you can use to hit the course are yours wedge lobesand wedge and trench wedge. All three have a high degree of loft and bounce, which will help get the ball in the air.
Place the club properly on the bounce in the setup, ensuring the face is square or slightly open. Be sure to minimize any shaft tilt – as this can cause the stick to dig in rather than slide.
7. Pitching – The size of the swing controls the distance
When you hit a shot on the track, you need to use the size of your swing to control distance. Smaller swings are naturally slower and produce shorter distances, while larger swings are naturally faster, making the ball travel farther.
8. Pitching – Your setup can help control the size and distance of your swing
Some golfers don’t like to take smaller swings as they can be difficult to manage, so using the setup to control the size of the swing is a great way to control distance.
Simply grip the club down and narrow your stance, which helps limit leverage and flexibility to create a shorter backswing.
9. Pitching – The club must hit the ground
To play successfully, you need to ensure that your club hits the ground – which effectively engages the loft of the club. Avoid any tendency to lift or help the ball in the air, as this can cause it to go too low and (likely) too far.
I always suggest taking a few practice swings so you can hear the club “hit” the ground.
10. Consider a table
Understanding your distances for each shot while using different clubs will help you be a master of the short game. For this reason, try mapping out your short game by writing down distances from various spots near the green. By taking the time to do this, I almost guarantee that your results will drop quickly.
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