Nina Caldwell
In golf, the short game refers to shots made from inside 100 yards to the green. It is an area where golfers can quickly lower their scores as it involves many nuances to each shot, requiring near-exact execution. The short game includes putting, chipping, pitching, greenside bunkers, and scoring wedges. A good short game is often associated with being able to get on the green and give yourself a chance at par from most lies. While no golfer dreams of hitting the ball short, short-hitting golfers have an advantage in terms of accuracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | In golf, the short game refers to the category of golf shots that are made from inside of 100 yards to the green. |
| Types of shots | Putting, chipping, pitching, greenside bunker shots, pitch and run, chip and run, flop or lob, bunker shot, and blast or explosion. |
| Importance | The short game is important because it is where golfers have the opportunity to lower their scores quickly. |
| Difficulty | The short game is considered difficult because there are many nuances to each shot, and most of those shots require nearly exact execution. |
| Tips for improvement | Focus on the backswing and getting the club to come into the ground and the ball on the right angle and path. Forget the idea that you should use the same swing for these clubs as you would for a hybrid or a driver. |
| Advantages of short hitting | Short hitters have an advantage in terms of accuracy. |
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What You'll Learn
Short hitting is about accuracy, not distance
While no golfer dreams of hitting the ball short, short hitting is about accuracy, not distance. The short game is an area where golfers have the opportunity to lower their scores quickly. It involves shots made from inside 100 yards to the green, including putting, chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker shots. A good short game is about being sharp with shorter clubs and executing precise shots with accuracy.
Putting, for example, requires controlling both the distance and direction of the golf ball, with the objective of making a simple and efficient stroke that gets the ball close to or into the hole. Chipping, on the other hand, is executed when a golfer's ball is on the grass near the green. They use a high-lofted club to pop the ball onto the green, from where it ideally rolls towards the hole.
Pitch shots are another aspect of the short game. Golfers use a high-lofted club to hit the ball high so that it lands softly on the green. A variation of this is the pitch-and-run, where the elevation is restricted to make the ball land sooner and roll a good distance, which is useful in windy conditions or on hard ground. The flop shot, or lob shot, is when a golfer hits the ball very high over a short distance, aiming to make it land close to the target to prevent it from rolling far after landing.
The secret to hitting good short irons is not in speed but in the backswing. Michael Jacobs, a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher, advises that "hitting good short iron shots has nothing to do with speed. It's about getting the club to come into the ground and the ball on the right angle and path." He suggests focusing on a more vertical swing and learning from PGA Tour players like Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, who excel at hitting short irons.
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The short game includes putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker shots
The short game in golf is an area where golfers can quickly lower their scores. It includes putting, chipping, pitching, bunker shots, and scoring wedges. Each of these shots has many nuances and requires precise execution.
Putting involves controlling the distance and direction of the golf ball with the aim of making the simplest and most efficient stroke to get the ball close to or into the hole. It is often the most neglected part of the game as it can be boring, but it is essential to scoring.
Chipping involves a shorter swing and is often practised on a pitching range. It is important to find a comfortable grip and stance that works for you. Some players recommend keeping your hands forward throughout the impact to avoid chunking the ball. Others suggest practising with your non-dominant hand only to sync up the body and hands.
Pitching involves controlling the length of the backswing to manage the distance. It is important to accelerate through the impact on the downswing and make solid contact. The tempo and swing mechanics should be consistent with a regular iron swing.
Bunker shots, or greenside bunkers, are another aspect of the short game. While there are different techniques for playing from bunkers, they all require a precise and nuanced approach to execute successfully.
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A good short game is about being comfortable with a range of shots
In golf, the short game refers to shots made from inside 100 yards to the green. It includes putting, chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker shots. A good short game is about being comfortable with a range of shots and executing them with precision.
Putting involves controlling the distance and direction of the ball, aiming to make it finish close to or in the hole. It is a crucial aspect of the short game, but it can be challenging and is often neglected by players. A good putter fit is essential, as an improperly sized putter can affect balance and the player's ability to strike the ball cleanly.
Chipping is executed when a golfer's ball is on the grass near the green. Golfers use a high-lofted club to pop the ball onto the green, from where it will roll, ideally towards the hole. Chipping requires a precise swing motion due to the closeness to the green.
Pitching involves using a high-lofted club to hit the ball high so that it lands softly on the green. A variation of this is the pitch-and-run, where the elevation is restricted to make the ball land sooner and roll a good distance, which is advantageous in windy conditions or on hard ground.
Bunker shots are used to get out of sand bunkers, while flop shots, or lob shots, are executed when a golfer needs to hit the ball very high over a short distance, ensuring it doesn't roll far after landing.
A good short game is about mastering these various shots and executing them effectively. It's about understanding the nuances of each shot and making precise adjustments to angle, path, and swing to achieve the desired outcome. This can include making less-than-full swings and focusing on the vertical aspect of the swing to improve the accuracy of short iron shots.
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Short iron shots are about the angle and path of the club, not speed
Hitting good short iron shots is not about speed. It's about getting the club to come into the ground and the ball at the right angle and path. This means you need more 'vertical' in your swing.
According to Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher Michael Jacobs, "Hitting good short iron shots has nothing to do with speed. It's about getting the club to come into the ground and the ball on the right angle and path. That means you need more 'vertical' in your swing."
Jacobs suggests that players forget the idea that they should use the same swing for short irons as they would for a hybrid or a driver. Instead, he recommends focusing on the position of the left arm at the two-thirds mark of the backswing. The left arm should be in line with the top of the right shoulder or collarbone. This position keeps the club in front of the body instead of getting behind it.
To work on this, players can make less-than-full swings with a short iron, using a headcover under the trail arm as a training aid. Start with the headcover tucked under the arm and make sure to drop it early in the backswing. This technique will help players find the centre of the clubface with their short irons.
Additionally, when executing a bump-and-run shot, a type of short game shot, the club selection is crucial. A lower-lofted club, such as a long iron or hybrid, is typically used, but any club in the bag can work. To set up, stand a little closer to the ball and get the shaft more vertical than usual. Then, slightly shut the clubface to help the ball roll, and put your feet close together with a neutral ball position in the centre of your stance. This technique will help you execute a smooth bump-and-run shot.
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Short hitting can help golfers save strokes
While it may be disappointing for a golfer to hit the ball a shorter distance than desired, short hitting can be beneficial in terms of accuracy. It is also an excellent way to save strokes.
The short game in golf refers to shots made from inside 100 yards to the green, including putting, chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker shots. It is an area where golfers can quickly lower their scores, as it involves many nuances and requires precise execution.
One example of a short game shot is a chip shot, where a golfer uses a high-lofted club to hit the ball from the grass close to the green, making it pop onto the green and roll towards the hole. A good short game can help golfers save strokes by improving their accuracy and execution of these shorter clubs and shots.
For instance, a golfer who misses 12 greens but can make par or better on half of those holes will save themselves at least six strokes. This demonstrates the advantage of focusing on the short game and short hitting, as it can significantly improve scores.
Additionally, short hitting can provide an advantage in terms of accuracy. According to PGA Tour statistician Richie Hunt, the farther a golfer hits the ball, the less room there is for clubface error. By focusing on short hitting and accuracy, golfers can keep their ball in play and avoid mistakes that can cost them strokes.
Overall, while distance is important in golf, short hitting should not be underestimated. Golfers can benefit from developing their short game skills and accuracy, which can lead to significant improvements in their scores.
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Frequently asked questions
In golf, short hitting refers to the category of shots made from inside 100 yards to the green, also known as the "short game". The short game includes putting, chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker shots.
Some examples of short game shots include chip shots, pitch shots, and flop shots. A chip shot is executed when a golfer is on the grass close to the green and uses a high-lofted club to pop the ball onto the green. A pitch shot is when a golfer uses a high-lofted club to hit the ball high so that it lands softly on the green. A flop shot, or lob shot, is when a golfer hits the ball very high over a short distance, also using a high-lofted club.
To improve your short game, you can refer to resources such as ShortGameChef.com, created by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin, which provides personalized tips and drills. You can also focus on your backswing, as Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher Michael Jacobs advises: "Hitting good short iron shots has nothing to do with speed. It's about getting the club to come into the ground and the ball on the right angle and path...That means you need more 'vertical' in your swing."
