Greetings, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, delighted to share some insights on an aspect of golf that, for many, holds the key to unlocking significantly lower scores: the short game. As a PGA-certified instructor with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of a well-honed chipping and pitching technique. It’s where countless strokes are gained or lost, and with the right approach, anyone can see dramatic improvement.
You might be a sophisticated, data-driven golfer who knows the importance of greens in regulation. And you’re right! But as the source article points out:
“Even the Tour players that you watch on television only average 13 to 14 greens hit per round. But in their case, if they weren’t getting up and down the vast majority of the time they would be playing for club championships and not US Opens.”
This highlights a crucial truth: even the best in the world miss greens. It’s their recovery game, their ability to get up and down, that separates them. This is why, when I’m talking to students looking to shave strokes quickly, I often echo this sentiment from the article:
“Oftentimes I will hear instructors say that if you want to knock a shot or two off your scores in short order start with the low hanging fruit. And that, for the vast majority of golfers, would be chipping and pitching.”
Let’s dive into some foundational principles to help you start picking that low-hanging fruit!
Mastering Your Setup for Chips and Pitches
Everything in golf starts with a proper setup, and your short game is no exception. The key here is understanding the subtle differences between a chip and a pitch, as they require slightly different approaches to optimize your contact and control.
For Chip Shots: Think of a chip as a low-flying shot with more roll, typically used when you’re close to the green. Your goal is to get the ball onto the green quickly and let it run to the hole.
- Your feet should be close together, perhaps a clubhead’s width apart.
- Place your weight predominantly on your lead foot (60-70%).
- The ball should be slightly back of center in your stance.
- Your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball, creating a “forward press.”
- Crucially, your shirt buttons should be tilted slightly toward the target. This pre-sets your body to make ball-first contact, moving the low point of your swing past the ball.
For Pitch Shots: A pitch shot is a higher-flying shot with less roll, used for longer distances around the green or to carry obstacles. You’re looking for more airtime and a softer landing.
- Your feet can be a little wider than for a chip, offering a bit more stability for a longer swing.
- Maintain that 60-70% weight distribution on your lead foot.
- The ball position should be pretty much centered.
- Again, your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball.
- For pitches, aim for your shirt buttons to be more vertical in your setup, stacked on top of each other.
The “Y” and “L” for Consistent Contact
Now, let’s talk about the motion of your swing. The article beautifully describes two visual cues that I find incredibly helpful for students:
For Chips: Maintain the “Y”
In your setup for a chip shot, your arms and the club shaft should form the letter “Y.” The genius of this concept is maintaining that “Y” throughout your entire chipping motion. This keeps your wrists firm and prevents excessive hinge, promoting a more controlled, pendulum-like stroke. It takes the hands out of the shot, reducing the chance of scooping or flicking, which are common causes of inconsistent contact.
For Pitches: The “L” Shape
For pitch shots, we introduce a bit more wrist hinge. The goal here is to create an “L” shape between your lead arm and the shaft at the top of your abbreviated backswing, and to replicate that “L” in your through-swing as well.
“There is an “L” in the backswing and an “L” in the through swing. I always want to see the backswing and through swing lengths to be the same. And this goes with every shot in golf from a full swing with the driver to a 3-inch tap-in.”
This equal backswing and through-swing length promotes a balanced, rhythmic motion, vital for consistent distance control. The “L” shape allows you to use the loft of the club effectively to get the ball up in the air.
Actionable Drills to Transform Your Short Game
Knowledge is power, but practice makes perfect! Here are a few drills to help you internalize these concepts:
Drill 1: The “Y” Maintainer (for Chipping)
Try this: Take your normal chipping setup. Place a ruler or a thin alignment stick underneath your lead armpit, extending down towards the club shaft. Now, make practice chip swings. The goal is to keep the ruler still against your side and avoid it dropping or moving significantly. This drill reinforces the “Y” shape and teaches you to swing your arms and shoulders as one unit, promoting crisp contact.
Drill 2: The “L-to-L” Pendulum (for Pitching)
Here’s a drill for you: Grab your sand wedge or pitching wedge. Set up for a pitch shot. Focus on making an abbreviated backswing where your lead arm and the club shaft form a distinct “L” shape. Then, swing through, striving to create another “L” shape in your follow-through, with your hands finishing about chest high. Pay close attention to making the backswing and through-swing feel like they are equal in length and speed. This builds rhythm and consistent power for pitching.
Drill 3: Buttons to Target (for Ball-First Contact)
For both chips and pitches, if you struggle with thinning or fatting shots, this drill is incredibly effective. Set up for your shot, ensuring your weight is on your lead foot and your shirt buttons are either tilted slightly forward (chips) or stacked vertically (pitches). As you swing through impact, actively feel your chest and stomach buttons rotating towards your target. This encourages your body to lead the downswing, preventing that dreaded “stalling” motion and ensuring you hit the ball before the turf. I tell my students: “Keep those buttons turning!”
Assessing the Lie and Club Selection
Beyond technique, understanding your environment is key. The article emphasizes the importance of learning to assess the lie. A fluffy lie in the rough might seem difficult, but sometimes it offers more options than a tightly mown fairway. Don’t be afraid to experiment during practice. As Nick Saban often said, “We make practice hard so games will be easy.”
Another often-overlooked aspect is club selection. While your wedges are crucial, don’t limit yourself. As the article states, “the less loft you use the less risk you take.” Consider chipping with a hybrid! It’s a fantastic, low-risk option that yields surprising results for many golfers.
Improving your short game doesn’t happen overnight, but with focused practice and understanding these core principles, you absolutely can see a dramatic difference in your scores. Embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and soon you’ll be getting up and down like a tour pro!
