Improving your short game in golf can lead to lower scores and a more enjoyable experience on the course. Top teacher Tom Stickney provides a guide to mastering the short game shots that the pros use. Stickney emphasizes the importance of having a variety of short game shots in your repertoire, as relying on only one option can limit your ability to score well. By expanding your range of shots, you can become a more versatile and successful player.
One important shot to have in your arsenal is the Texas wedge, which is a safe option for when the ground is hard and baked out, making chipping and pitching challenging. This shot involves using a putter to get the ball close to the hole, with a focus on a short to long stroke without any wrist action. Another effective shot is the putter back in stance, which involves positioning the ball back in your stance with the putter to navigate longer distances or rough in front of you.
Using a fairway wood or rescue club from just off the green can be a great option for getting up and down from various lies, especially when a pin is close to the edge of the green. A bellied wedge is useful for “touchy” shots when a putter or rescue club won’t work, providing a quick burst of topspin to help the ball roll true. A bump and run shot, using an iron like a 7-iron to 9-iron, is another common short game shot that can be effective when you’re too far from the pin for other options.
A toe-down pitch shot can be beneficial when faced with fast greens and difficult lies, offering versatility in terms of blade position and lie type. By incorporating these six short game shots into your game, you can expand your repertoire and improve your scoring ability on the course. Stickney stresses the importance of practice and experimentation with different shots to find what works best for your game. By mastering these short game shots, you can become a more confident and successful player on the golf course.
