| A great way to lower your score is to reduce the | | | | in the short game, the handle of the golf club should |
| number of strokes it takes to get you to the hole | | | | always be in front of the face of the club at impact. |
| once you are within shooting distance of the green | | | | Try a few practice chips and pitches with the toe of |
| and this article examines just how to go about | | | | your rear foot balanced on your front foot. This |
| making your short game even shorter. | | | | forces you to put your weight onto your front foot. |
| As something like three quarters of all golf shots are | | | | Now, stand normally and hit a few more practice |
| made within 120 yards of the hole, your short game | | | | shots. At first this exercise might seem a little bit silly, |
| provides you with the opportunity to improve your | | | | but you'll be surprised at how well it helps to prevent |
| score with less effort. One good technique for | | | | you hanging back and lifting the ball into the air. |
| improving your short game, which is as much mental | | | | Remember too that if your head is behind the ball |
| as physical, is to start from the hole and work | | | | then your weight will also tend to be behind the ball. |
| backwards. Begin by getting your ball to the hole | | | | To prevent those fat chip shots you want to keep |
| from just off the green and then move progressively | | | | your weight to the front. Remember also that |
| backwards out to a distance of 100 to 120 yards. | | | | keeping the ball on the ground longer will increase |
| The first thing you need to do of course is to select | | | | your accuracy. |
| the right club. The more height you want on a shot, | | | | Now try taking a 7 or 8 iron and move your grip an |
| the more loft you will need on your club, so simply | | | | inch or so below the position in which you would |
| match the height and distance to our selection of | | | | normally grip the club. Align your shoulders with the |
| club number. Remember though that on short shots | | | | target line and open your stance slightly. Keeping |
| you want the ball to stay out of the air as much as | | | | your lower body still and allowing the arms and |
| possible. | | | | shoulders to do the work, take the club back about |
| For short shots position your chest in front of the | | | | 18 inches and use a putting stroke allowing the club |
| ball and shift the majority of your weight onto the | | | | to follow through by about 18 inches after impact. |
| balls of your feet. For higher shots move your chest | | | | For a good chip shot you need to lean a little |
| farther back, even slightly behind the ball, and put | | | | towards the target and make sure that your hands a |
| slightly less weight onto the balls of your feet. | | | | set slightly ahead of the ball. Also, narrow your |
| In general, power is not an issue in the short game | | | | stance and flex your knees slightly. Your swing |
| and proper contact with the ball will do more to | | | | doesn't require a great deal of force and, if you |
| ensure accuracy and the correct distance than having | | | | impact the ball squarely on the sweet spot, you will |
| a forceful swing. You need to concentrate therefore | | | | also stop the ball from getting too much height. |
| on getting the club face to connect squarely with the | | | | With a little bit of practice you'll find that your short |
| ball at its sweetspot. This is particularly important | | | | game can become very short and, once you've got it |
| when using wedges, as the loft on the club can easily | | | | as short as possible, the next things to do is to |
| result in a hooked or sliced shot. Remember too that, | | | | shorten your putting game. |