Lower your handicap without changing your swing

[bobmac]

I have played golf for over 40 years and still am amazed at how many people spend most of their practice time bashing the driver.
There's one thing pros and amatuers have in common...the chance to have a good short game. It doesn't take huge strength, incredible clubhead speed, only a little practice and a good technique.
Obviously, ther's no point in practicing the wrong thing, but with a little help anyone can carve shots off their handicap by simply improving their pitching, chipping and putting.
Who do you know thinks their short game can't get better?

 

[TonyN]

Yes Bobmac, very good point made there. I think its safe to say that this forum as a whole shares your views exactly.

I personally love practicing my short game and when that is red hot, I usually shoot my best scores!

Shame the snow is everywhere though cause all the practice greens are off!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am in the middle of a 5 lesson series on the short game.I've just had a lesson on pitching which has changed my address position and set up and I'm desperately waiting for the snow to melt to go away and put it into practice.

I was guilty last year of practicing hard but only on my long swing and hardly anytime was focussed on the short game. As a result I became too tied up in making good long swings that my technique got shot and I didn't have the short game to compensate.

 

[bobmac]

Tony, what one tip would you give beginners to improve their pitching and chipping?

 

[Macster]

Trust the loft on your Club, hit into the ball, and dont scoop

 

[tincup]

keep head as still as possible and try and concentrate on not lifting head till follow through is complete (this should also solve the problem of quitting on the shot)

 

[Twire]

Don't quit on the shot. So many people decelerate into the ball or quit....as chris said, trust your shot and hit it.

 

[Tommo21]

Many years ago when I realised I wasn’t going to hit the ball that far I decided to practice more on my short game and It’s paid off. I’m genuinely happy with my short game although a few chip ins would be good.

 

[TonyN]

Bobmac, My first piece of advice on this matter would be to see a pro so you can learn the basic set up position first.

I often see people trying to scoop the ball up to get it onto the green from upto 50 yards away. The key to good pitching is

*Correct setup
*Nice crisp/clean strike
*A good follow through.

To give you an idea of how I pitch i do the following.

*Open my stance ever so slightly.
*Grip down on the club
*Have 70% of my weight on my left side
*Strike down onto the ball and follow through to a high finish.

Chipping is more of the same, the Only noticable differences are

*Feet together
*Shorter swing
*both knees together and pushed out left to keep weight on left side.

 

[bobmac]

Homer. Good for you having a series of lessons. I'll bet you ask for directions when you're lost too
I take it the first 2 lessons were on putting and chipping. Did your lesson on pitching include the "clockface drill"? If so, you are going to love the results.

 

[andycap]

Welcome on board Bobmac, the forum has been waiting for a pro to join in. Me thinks we could keep you quite busy
There is a lot of knowledge on here but it would be nice to have the professional input too,
Hope you stick around

 

[bobmac]

Great advice from all. Thank you. The only thing I would add is to always try and take a divot. Not necessarily a huge door mat but just little one to encourage the downward hit into the back of the ball. Try and keep the ball near the middle of the stance and not too far back and vary the length of the swing to control how far the ball goes. A good drill is to place another ball 12-14 inches behind the target ball and try and missed it on your down swing. This will encourage the divot and help to avoid the dreaded scoop.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[TonyN]

I'd just like to add my welcome to you Bob. Checked out your page and you seem quite established. This forum would deeply benefit from your input for sure, (especially in the ask the expert section)

I hope you stick about and get invloved, we have a good few meets planned this year, I am sure you would be welcomed along.

 

[bobmac]

Thank you Tony.
I dont want to discourage all the great advice people give on here because most of it is spot on I'm just here to help if you need it.
As for being invited to a "meet" or two, can I play off about 12 please?
It will take me ages to get down to scratch again

 

[forefortheday]

Thank you Tony.
I dont want to discourage all the great advice people give on here because most of it is spot on I'm just here to help if you need it.
As for being invited to a "meet" or two, can I play off about 12 please?
It will take me ages to get down to scratch again

Can I play off 50 then

 

[TonyN]

Lol, Only If i can play off 28 against you.

What are you playing off ATM I see it was only 5 years ago you Qual'd so you cant be too shabby!

Also, what was the thoughts on my answer to your question on the high finish?

 

[bobmac]

As a pro, I dont have a handicap so I'll have to play off scratch.
As to your query about the high finish, I'm a bit concerned.
I'll try and explain why.
If you have a low backswing and a high finish it would be easy to scoop. If you have a steep backswing and a low follow through you would find it easier to take the divot.
I hope when you said a high finish, you actually meant a LONG finish?
Even that would tend to make the distance control more difficult.
Try and keep the follow through a bit shorter, ideally the same length as the backswing. That way you will be more consistent in controlling the distance, although I do see that a longer follow through can help those who tend to jab at the ball I hope that's clear as mud?

 

[TonyN]

I understand you dont have a handicap, sorry I should have been clearer, How well are you playing too scratch would of made more sense.

Your explination is very clear. I dont seem to have much of a problem with my pitching regarding distance control. Dont get me wrong I am no Tiger but I generally do ok.

I will post a video soon enough as I seem to be having some trouble explaining it and giving you the correct picture.

With regard to equal back swing as follow through this always applies to my chipping.

As for my pitching, if I was to play a 3/4 PW to say 80 yards, i wouldn'tfollow through 3/4 and stop, I would complete a full follow through. Maybe that is wrong, I dont know.

 

[bobmac]

Tony, Have you heard of the "CLOCKFACE DRILL"?
That explains all about length of backswing and follow through.
http://www.bobmcarthur.co.uk/#/october/4531132866
What I teach is a basic pitch shot with a wedge held at the bottom of the grip swung back to approx. 9 on the clock face so your left arm is horizontal and your club shaft is vertical. When you swing down and stop at 3 on the clock face, that will hit the ball 50-60 yds, depending on your swing speed. To increase or decrease the distance
(a)move the hands up and down the grip or
(b)lengthen or shorten the swing or
(c) change clubs.
Without any more effort the ball will go further for you. But beware, if your follow through is longer, the ball WILL go further

 

[TonyN]

I had heard of this drill and always thought I was doing the right thing but only applying it to the backswing, I had picked up a 'tip' that said always finish the follow through.

I will give this ago next time I am out pitching and report back.