Short Game Myths

One of the big myths perpetrated about the short game is that “the ball is played back in the stance.” This is only partly true. It’s true when chipping but not true when pitching. If you want the golf ball to fly low and run, it should be played off the back foot (right foot for right-handed players). But…if you want the ball to go up, even for short shots, it must be played forward, at least forward of center. This is the exact same principle if you are in the trees; if you want to go UNDER, move the ball back. If you want the ball to go OVER, move it forward.

I see a lot of golfers trying to lob the golf ball over a hazard or to an elevated green while placing it back in the stance. This, of course, produces lower ball flight, and as a result the player either tries to add loft by flipping the hands, or hanging back on the rear foot in an attempt to create loft. When pitching the golf ball, you likely have 55+ degrees of loft on the golf club. Simply, let the golf club do its job!

Another myth that many players believe is that all short shots are played “with no wrists”, stiff-wristed if you will. When we do not hinge the wrists, we create a wide, shallow attack angle. This can be dangerous around the green, as it often leads to skulls or “drop kicks” (brushing the grass behind the ball). Again, it depends on what shot you are trying to hit. A low-running chip can be, in fact, should be played with very minimal wrist hinge. However, a high-lofted pitch can and should have some wrist-set early in the back swing. This creates loft and a steeper attack angle of attack to avoid the dreaded skull!

Myth number three is club selection. This is one of the biggest causes of missed shots. Many players have a “favorite” club they choose for shots around the green. Nothing could be more detrimental to short game scoring. It is true that, when lobbing shots around the green, you are limited to perhaps one or two clubs; let’s just say a club with sufficient loft (55 or more degrees). Most “lob wedges” have plenty of loft and BOUNCE! Chipping, however, is another story. When playing a low-running shot, you have the added advantage of using several clubs (from say, a 7-iron to a sand wedge) and you do NOT want a steep angle. So, the no-wrist method can be very effective. In fact, I highly suggest it!

So, first select a LOW or HIGH shot, then proceed accordingly.

Finally, as with every shot we play you MUST FIRST CONSIDER THE LIE of the golf ball. It dictates how we play every shot. For example, when playing from heavy rough, you must select a club with loft-regardless of what shot you are playing. When playing from a nice clean lie, the choices I discussed above are up to you. Good Luck and feel free to send me an email or video if you need help.