When you're able to get the ball up and down seemingly from anywhere, you've got an advantage over any player you tee it up against. Most golfers are more concerned with hitting the ball longer, exhibiting their power in the process. But, the best way to shoot lower scores is to become a short game wizard.
Golf would be a simple game if all you ever hit was fairways and greens. But because golf is so challenging, most golfers find themselves scrambling for par more often than not. That's why it's important to spend even more time on your short game than your long game.
It's been proven on all the professional tours that pros make their money from 100 yards and in. Amateurs should approach the game in the same way because refining our short game is something that will last well into your later years.
As golfers age, their power will diminish. But, their short game touch can always improve and get better. If you've got touch, you will always have a chance to shoot a good score.
So, work on becoming a scrambling man and you'll see just how fun this game can be!
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
Hallelujah, The Scrambling Man
Surge, can't believe this video, because I scrambled all day in a comp on the weekend. Reckon there were at least 11 holes where I was in trouble, either in the bush or a bunker, but finished 7up on my handicap and took the whole purse, a birdie on the last hole was icing on the cake, lol.
You said it "be a short game wizard" and every time I was in trouble, just said to myself, just get it near the green, then chip and one put, had 27 for the
day. I play with guys who belt the ball 50-75 metres past mine, but I get em
at the other end.
Some weeks ago, was playing with my accountant and he was shaking his head on the closeness my chips were getting to the whole and said to me "how do you do it", I said its not magic, I play that shot at least 500 times a week when practising after work, so when I'm on the course, the shot becomes so easy.
Simple chipping
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Simple Chipping
Dave, just had a look at the video and agree it has some good fundamentals such as compact quiet body, no wrist movement, forward body lean and hands leading the club head.
To me, the biggest trap that one can get into is de-accelerating through the ball, if this happens then duffing the shot will occur. The best way to avoid this is to ensure the back swing is less than the forward swing, that way you will always be accelerating.
I also noticed that he promoted a soft bottom hand and using the left thumb to hit the ball where I have both wrists firm and the feeling at impact is with the back of the left wrist, that way the club stays square to the line a lot longer.
What say you my friend.
Simple chipping
Neil, when I started using this method a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised at how little back swing was required to hit the ball any distance up to 50 yards.
The key for me, was to make sure that the very first thing I did, was to always setup with the very narrow and square stance that he describes, while using the right hand to feel direction. Doing this seems to go a long way to ensure consistent contact with the ball. My old setup was more open with the feet and the stance width and ball position varying from day to day. I take all the time I need to get everything in position for the shot required, as I address the ball. I know that not taking enough time to setup has cost me a lot of fat and thin shots in the past.
My second step, while simply standing more upright, without moving the feet, with the ball correctly positioned in the stance, is to make practice swings over the ball, to try to feel the amount of pushing through of the left arm and thumb required for the particular shot. The left arm only goes to about shoulder height for the longest shots. My right shoulder automatically drags the club head away the amount required for the shot, without thinking about it.
With all the details of setup taken care of all that I have to do after "feeling the swing" is to accordion down and " swing the feel." This is a big switch for someone like me who previously only took practice swings while putting.
I am a little firmer with the bottom hand, than he describes and use the right index finger and thumb, to lightly pinch the bottom of the handle, aim the club and support the pushing action of the left thumb through impact.
What I like about this method is it can be used for any length chip or pitch. The only thing that varies is the length of the swing. By simply varying ball position a little or club selection, it is possible to get more creative when hitting shots around the green. Practicing these shots, before a round, is a lot of fun when you have the kind of control that this method offers.