In golf, the shots that truly shape your score often travel only a few yards. The delicate chips, pitches and putts around the green call for touch, imagination and trust. They ask you to slow down, feel the grass under your feet and let the club head brush the turf rather than attack it. When you embrace the short game as a craft rather than a chore, each swing becomes a whisper rather than a shout.
Chipping & Pitching: Soft Launch and Crisp Contact
- Use a narrow stance with weight slightly favouring your front foot to encourage a downward strike.
- Keep your wrists quiet and let your shoulders and arms work together, maintaining a simple pendulum motion.
- Choose a lofted club that lands softly on the green and rolls like a putt, adjusting carry-to-roll based on slope.
Putting Precision: Rolling with Purpose
- Read the green by walking around the putt and feeling subtle breaks with your feet.
- Align the putter face to your target line first, then set your body parallel to that line.
- Focus on a smooth tempo and follow-through, letting the ball ride the face’s sweet spot.
Creative Drills & Games
- Practice “up-and-down” challenges by dropping balls in various lies around the green and trying to hole out in two shots.
- Use one club for multiple shots, experimenting with high and low trajectories to develop imagination.
- Play putting games like “closest to the coin” with friends to sharpen feel and cultivate friendly competition.
By investing time in the short game, you nurture not only your scoring potential but also your connection to the course. Each touch shot invites you to use your senses and adapt creatively, developing the empathy that defines great golf. Whether you are just starting or refining a lifelong skill, embrace these small swings with patience and curiosity, and watch your confidence bloom around the greens.
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