Mastering distance control in the short game is essential to becoming a pitching and chipping master. While many golfers focus on hitting long shots, the real key to scoring lower is mastering shots within 50 yards of the green. The short game includes chips, pitches, and putts, and improving distance control in this area can lead to more birdie and par opportunities.
A common problem among amateur golfers is neglecting the short game in practice. The short game may not be as exciting as hitting long drives, but dedicating time to mastering chipping and pitching can lead to significant improvement in scores. GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jim Murphy emphasizes the importance of focusing on distance control from around the green to improve scoring.
Distance control in the short game is crucial for getting the ball close to the hole and scoring well. An issue many players face is trying to control distance with a rate of acceleration, which can lead to inconsistent results. To address this problem, players need to relax their arms at address and focus on lengthening their backswing to generate the right amount of power for each shot.
Lengthening the backswing may be a challenging task for some players, but it is necessary for improving touch and feel for distance control. By resisting the urge to shorten the backswing or accelerate on the downswing, golfers can develop a more consistent and controlled short game. The key is to let the loft of the club do the work and avoid decelerating through the impact zone.
To practice dialing in distance control in the short game, Murphy recommends hitting pitch shots of 20-30 yards while swinging as long as possible but hitting the ball as short as possible. This drill helps golfers develop a feel for controlling both speed and distance in their short game shots. By mastering this technique, players can improve their overall performance around the green and lower their scores.
True Spec Golf offers custom club fitting services with over 50,000 clubhead and shaft combinations to help golfers build the most precise set of golf clubs. Working with a custom club fitter can enhance a player’s performance and optimize their equipment for better results on the course. Investing in a custom club fitting session can lead to improved distance control and consistency in the short game.
