Adding Spin

photo credit: D.Hilgart     Many amateurs have trouble  creating spin  with their approach shots.   It's not as hard as it seems with the right technique:

1)   For maximum spin, choose a wedge  with a high  degree of bounce.   2)    For more control,  grip down on the shaft and play the ball in the middle (or slightly back) of your stance.   3)    Use a narrow and more open stance   4)   Keep your lower body still.   5)   On both your backswing and follow-through, keep the club lower to the ground  and moving towards the target.  

The  job of the clubface  is to create spin.   Keeping your club low at impact will cause the ball to stay on the grooves longer which creates more spin and greater stopping power on the green.

Flop Shot Technique

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf     Chipping over an obstacle such as a bunker, bush or tree with little green to play with,  can be a daunting task for most amateurs.   The lob shot is ideal for this kind of situation.  

If you do not have a lob wedge, use a sand wedge.   This shot most likely will be  from the rough so a change in your  set-up must be made.   1)   Open your stance by aligning your feet well left of target.   2)   Open your clubface as you would for a greenside bunker.   3)   Bring the club more upright on the way back.   4)   Take a longer than normal backswing.   5)   Slide the clubhead under the ball  and don't try to help it into the air.

Too Much Distance

photo credit: rileyroxx     Too Many Shots Landing Long:   If the majority of your chip or pitch shots land long, the length of your backswing may be too long  with too much acceleration into the ball.   Try making a shorter backswing while  executing the same type of acceleration through the impact zone.  

Another problem may be poor club selection.   Try using a less lofted club and aim for a landing spot much nearer to you.   Doing so, will allow the ball to run farther.   Use the  One-Third/Two-Thirds  rule which is:   Chip shots – one-third of the distance to the cup in the air and two-thirds on the ground.   Pitch shots – two-thirds of the distance to the hole in the air and one-third on the ground.   Practice these shots regularly !

Upslope Lies

photo credit: SearchNetMedia     During short-game  practice, play from different lies  such as  up-slope, down-slope, sidelhill  etc.   The following two tips are for up-slope lies.

1)   For the uphill shot you are playing, determine which club you would normally take from a similar range if the ground were flat, then subtract two.   If you would typically play a pitching wedge then for an uphill shot, use an 8-iron.   The reason is because you need to compensate for the slope of the hill by using a less lofted club.

2)   Use your original pitching technique, however, make sure that your shoulders are at the same angle as the slope of the hill.   Your shoulders are the pendulum from which the entire swing is based.   A topped shot is usually the outcome of misaligned shoulders.

Three Shots With One Club

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf     By manipulating the clubface and adjusting your stance accordingly, it is possible to vary the trajectory and length of your pitch shots using   just one club.   Try the following drill:

1)   Hit a few standard pitch shots and note the trajectory and distance of each shot.   2)   With the same club hit some low-flying shots by placing the ball back in your stance with your hands pressed forward.   Keep your hands and wrists firm during your swing by gripping the club a bit more firmly.   This is a shoulders/arms/ swing.   Keep your hands low at the finish.   3)   Now try hitting much higher shots  by moving the ball forward in your stance,  intersecting your left heel.    Hold the club  very lightly and finish with your hands high.

Principles for the Short Game

photo credit: lrargerich     Before executing your golf shot and stepping into the address position, use the following guidelines:

1)   Target > what is your primary target and where else would be acceptable?   2)   Weather > is there wind, standing water, dew on the fairway, if so, how will your shot be affected?    3)   Green >  is the green sloping or firm, is it relatively flat or sloping?   4)   Hazards > is there a  hazard in line with your shot, should you avoid it?   5)   Club >  is the club you intend to use, the right club for the type of shot you intend to play?    6)   State of Play >  playing  match play or stroke play may determine the type of shot.    7)   Take  your time > think each shot over carefully!

The Bump and Run Shot #1

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…     The technique used for the bump and run shot is the same whether it's a close or a distant shot.   The stance is narrow and open with the feet, hips and shoulders aimed left of the target.   The club angle at address should be forward to assure a descending clubface angle through the impact zone.   Swing with the arms while holding the wrists quite firm.   Swing easy with your head remaining motionless to prevent a skull-shot (hitting the ball above center).

This shot requires much practice using various clubs to learn the distance and carry of each club.   Try sticking with one or two clubs in order to get used to their performance with this shot.   Vary the distance by taking longer or shorter swings.

The Bump and Run Shot #2

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…     The pros refer to the “scoring zone” as the area within 60 yards of the green.   It's in this area where real creativity is required.   In the scoring zone,   most amateur golfers will use their wedge and place themselves at the mercy of the elements (wind etc.) by trying to fly the ball to the hole.   Instead, the bump and run shot might be preferable.

The bump and run is the shot to play when the terrain in front of the green is relatively flat with no obstructing bunkers.    A 4 or 5-iron is ideal if the the pin is cut on the far side of the green.   Chip the ball so it lands quickly and rolls the remaining distance to the cup.

Crisp Approaches

photo credit: eMaringolo     To hit it crisp from tight lies and dry conditions it's imperative not to let the club bounce off the turf before it makes contact with the ball.   Blading is the biggest reason why fat or topped shots occur.  

For short chip/pitch shots stand with a narrow stance, closer to the ball.   In order to eliminate the likelihood of blading the ball, play the ball off of the toe of the club.    Standing closer  to the ball automatically raises the toe so that  during the swing the  sole of the club will not make full contact with the  ground.

For better control, grip down on the handle which will make the shaft shorter.   Hold the club in a delicate manner  using light grip pressure.

The Pitch/Chip Difference

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf     Setting the shaft at address is the major difference between pitch and chip shots.   With a chip shot your hands are set further ahead of the ball at address and as the ball is hit, the grip end of the club is leaning forward and in this manner you have essentially delofted the club.   The  leading edge of the club  hits the ball first and then contacts the ground.

During a pitch shot, as the clubhead strikes the ball the shaft of the club is nearly vertical and the grip is just slightly ahead.   The bounce of the club hits the ground as the ball is struck.   The bounce of the club does not allow the leading edge of the club to dig into the ground.

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