In the scoring zone, power fades and touch takes the lead. The short game is a dance of softness and precision — a quiet conversation between your club, the ball, and the contours of the green. With patience and presence, you can turn tricky lies and delicate pitches into opportunities for confidence and grace.
Sensing the Green
- Walk around the green to feel its slopes and contours under your feet.
- Observe light and shadows to sense grain and speed.
- Let your eyes trace the path from ball to hole, visualizing the ideal line.
Chipping & Pitching Foundations
- Use a narrow stance with weight slightly forward and hands ahead of the ball.
- Maintain a gentle grip and steady rhythm; accelerate through impact.
- For pitches, hinge your wrists softly and swing with a shallow arc to brush the grass.
Developing Feel and Finesse
- Practice with one wedge, varying swing length to control distance instead of changing clubs.
- Set up “ladder” drills with multiple targets, focusing on landing zones rather than the hole.
- Keep your hands soft and relaxed; listen to the sound of contact and the roll of the ball.
As you train, journal your experiences. Note how different grasses, weather and emotions influence your touch. Slow down, breathe between shots, and celebrate small improvements. The short game rewards empathy and patience — qualities that enrich not only your scoring but your experience of the game.
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