The article below was written by Jack Backhouse of National Club Golfer.
There’s nothing more frustrating than having a decent long game and then wasting shots around the green. In the video below, PGA Professional Jack Backhouse explains the only 2 chip shots you need around the green to develop a pressure-proof short game.
Low running chip shot
The first shot to master around the greens is the low-running chip shot as this is the shot you should be using most often out on the golf course.
The technique is very simple:
- stand with feed one clubhead with a part
- stand three clubhead widths away from the ball
- use a 9-iron
- weight on the front foot
- stiff wrist putting action
The idea of this shot is that you get the golf ball running as quickly as possible so that it rolls the majority of the way to the hole.
You should use this shot any time you do not have to go over a bunker or a hazard. You should get comfortable hitting this shot running it up and down slopes. It is tough to do wrong and has a very high success rate.
Your touch should be developed by using one ball and chipping from lots of different locations around the green, varying the lie, distance, and elevation changes in the shots.
High soft chip shot
This shot is a little more complicated and comes with a higher risk for disaster, which is why this should only be used when you MUST go over something rather than being your go-to shot.
The technique is very similar to the low-running chip shot apart from the following:
- use your highest lofted wedge
- ball position should be front foot
- there should be an active opening of the face in the backswing
- the backswing will be longer
Although this is not the first choice or your go-to shot around the green, it should still be practised and mastered, like the low runner. This shot needs to be practiced from all different kinds of lie so you are comfortable making adjustments to the swing depending on the situation as this shot will often be needed in worse situations.
Practice
The skill in short game is being able to predict where to land the ball and how hard to hit it. This is developed through random practice and not block practice.
You need to put your basket of balls away grab your 2 clubs and 2 balls, and walk around the green hitting as many different shots you can create as possible.
Vary the length, lie, and slope of your shots to really prepare yourself for any and all random shots you are faced with on the golf course.
I like to play a game of high shot vs low shot match play, as it keeps you focused and helps you hit shots that you wouldn’t normally play.
Working on these 2 shots will help you save more shots around the green than you ever have before.
Having a sharp short game should be considered an essential when trying to lower your handicap, and is often the lowest hanging fruit of a players improvement.
