Branson Golf Guide

With the steps of a full swing now behind us it is now time to begin to learn about the short game. Although most of us prefer to hit a “long ball” with the driver when we practice and emphasize it during the round it is out short game that will truly allow us to shoot better scores and thus become better players.

Today we begin the process of understanding what the short game is and will spend the coming weeks analyzing the various types of shots we must master to become a good player.

Very simply put the short game is any shot that does not require a full swing. In a way, the short game is the most interesting part of golf because of the variety of shots possible. A well struck full golf shot gives much pleasure, and can satisfy the power urge we all have, but in the end it is the short game that really makes the score.

I believe the short game embraces the wide range of shots from distances of around 75 yards to a couple of feet – pitches, chips, bunker shots and putts. The various techniques for these shots will vary greatly from the full swing we have been working on, but there are some similarities we must not forget.

Although, it may not seem important that you have a solid foundation for short shots since the swing is so much less forceful than for full swings, in fact balance and stability are even more critical. The slightest movement of the body on a chip shot or a three foot putt can cause a miss, whereas you might very get away with it on a full swing.

Knee flex is another essential element of the short game. If your knees are locked at address you will be unable to drive the knees through impact, which is a critical function in being able to produce spin from a flop shot or bunker shot.

Again our posture remains a constant factor. Short shots – especially those from just off the green, have a way of making us want to hunch our shoulders. This becomes the main reason for hitting poor shots – generally fat, or behind the ball. “Good Posture” - a straight back and a slight bend at the waist – are as essential to a good short game as they are to hitting long straight drives.

Next week we will discuss the differences in the “pitch shot” and the “chip shot” and when we should hit each shot during our round. Although many players use these words interchangeably, they are very different shots requiring very different execution. Both provide a unique result that will be best suited to specific locations around the green.

Fairways and Greens!

Before we can make this decision we must first make sure we understand the difference.  All too often these two words are used by most golfers to describe the same shot and do not clearly understand the difference.  Very simply put, a CHIP is a shot that rolls farther than it flies, and conversely a PITCH is a shot that flies farther than it rolls.  With that said here is a short checklist to help you determine which shot to hit when…

1. Determine what kind of a lie you have.  The better the lie the easier it will be to execute a good pitch.  If the lie is bad or laying down a chip will probably work best.
2. Look at your intended target.  How much green is between your ball and the hole?  The more green the more likely a chip will produce a better result.  After all it is easier to make a ball that is rolling than one that is flying through the air.
3. Finally, and most importantly, which shot are you more comfortable with?  We will always hit a better shot if we are confident we can produce an effective result.

Try to master both of these shots as they will help lower your scores.  The more options we have on the golf course the better player we can become.