Key Concepts and Rules of the Short Game
Here’s a short video I’ve put together on some rules and key concepts of the short game. I like to establish these rules early on when instructing any short game session. Ensuring the rule of the short game is followed, which is to putt before you chip, chip before you pitch and pitch before you lob. I’m sure this will be a refresher for some of you out there and some you will find this refreshing.
I’m surprised how often I see golfer’s simply choosing the wrong option from around the green, taking the high road when a put or chip would have been the wiser play. This video will briefly outline a set of core concepts and rules every golfer can follow to help improve their odds of turning 3 shots into 2.
Now please watch video…
The first rule of the short game is to putt before you can chip
Which means that just because you’re not on the green doesn’t mean you can’t putt. The skill requirement in putting a ball is much less than it is for a chip shot. So whenever you can putt prior to chipping, do so. At many links style and sand-belt courses in Melbourne, putting can and should be the first choice from off the green and sometimes quite a distance off the green.
Although the putter is the first choice from off the green, the further away you are from the green the more unpredictable the roll will be.
The second rule of the short game is to chip before you pitch
So once you’ve decided you can no longer putt the ball the goal should be to elevate the ball just enough so it covers the fairway ground, rolling out like a putt. Too often I see golfers trying to fly the ball back to the hole no matter what the distance; this is fraught with danger and breads inconsistency. Sure a tour player that practices for long hours can learn how to control one or two clubs around the green. Though for most golfers they will do better following the concept of varying the club not the swing and sticking to another all-important concept of minimum airtime and maximum ground time when chipping.
At this point it’s important to pick out a landing zone, generally a few paces on the green. I like to imagine your chipping onto an area the size of a small towel. Stick to the concepts discussed on the previous paragraph and remember, when you chip your target isn’t the pin it’s your landing zone. So choose a club that can carry comfortably onto the green letting the ball release out to the hole.
The third rule of the short game it to pitch before you lob
A controlled pitch swing should represent a mini full swing, with a medium to high trajectory, following the concept of maximum airtime and minimum ground time. Too often I see golfers attempting to lob the ball way up in the air with their 60 degree wedge. Most tour players pitch with their 56 degree sand-wedge, employing a slight descending blow on the ball thus controlling the trajectory and spin. Different distances require a changeup in length of swing and pace of swing, so factor that in when regulating your pitch shots.
I’m hope this has shed some light on some of the key rules and concepts of the short game. Coming soon will be the techniques used to hit these shots with control and consistency.
Good golfing
Written by Steven Giuliano, PGA Member and An official iseekgolf.com teaching panelist
