bobmac
Major Champion
When people ask for advice on how to reduce their handicaps, the normal respose is
"work on your short game."
Why?
"work on your short game."
Why?
Why the short game?
- Thread starter bobmac
- Start date
Jonny
Assistant Pro
I think it comes from a point of view where everyone assumes that a handicap golfer loses most of their shots within 50 yards of the flag. Whilst that might be true to a certain extent it is a generalisation that isn't always going to be correct. The long game is equally important but the reload attitude from the tee is more gungho than with a missed chip or putt. For some reason it hurts more even though the penalty is generally less severe.
Long game is at best an approximation for most golfers, short game can be sharpened with more noticeable results. Why worry about trying to find every fairway when you KNOW your short game is in good shape. I think if you know your short game is good it takes a little of the pressure out of the swing and you can end up with better results. A wise man once said "Golf is not a game of perfect", it isnt but you sure as hell can improve on mediocre.
Tiger
Money List Winner
There's no pleasing some inventors is there!!! 
I'd say it is because you play more shots with your putter and around the green than anything else. Most golfers with a handicap don't hit many GIR. Their ability to make par or bogey is determined by how good their short game is. Now stop stirring and go and sell some Mars bars.
I'd say it is because you play more shots with your putter and around the green than anything else. Most golfers with a handicap don't hit many GIR. Their ability to make par or bogey is determined by how good their short game is. Now stop stirring and go and sell some Mars bars.
One Planer
Global Moderator
Because spaying it left and right off the tee doesn't matter if your short game is good
I'm joking by the way
Surely if you want to "improve" your game you need to improve the areas that lets you down the most, in my case long iron approach play (180+).
I'm joking by the way
Surely if you want to "improve" your game you need to improve the areas that lets you down the most, in my case long iron approach play (180+).
chris661
Money List Winner
For me there is no point in having the best short game in the world if you are always in the cabbage or trees of the tee. I do feel the short game is slightly more important but not by much
timchump
Q-School Graduate
becuase thats what you pro's tell us
i agree with Hogan 's view, being that he couldn't understand why a sublime 200 yard approach shot is worth the same as a dinky putt
i agree with Hogan 's view, being that he couldn't understand why a sublime 200 yard approach shot is worth the same as a dinky putt
You're the Pro Bob so informs us......
HickoryShaft
Tour Rookie
Because when I hit a perfect drive and decent approach then take 5 to get down from the fringe of the green I know what I should be working on but still hit the range to bomb some more drives???
bobmac
Major Champion
I would say it's easier to help someone improve their short game than it is to cure a slice/hook.
The later often requires major swing surgery and 1000s of balls on the range whereas learning to chip and pitch is a relatively simple technique to learn.
The short game also doesn't rely on any strength or flexibility so anyone young, old, strong or week can have a great short game.
Of course I'm not advocating you ignore the long game but as long as you can keep it in play and reach the green somewhere near regulation then a mid to low handicp is not beyond most people's capabilities if they can get up and down
The later often requires major swing surgery and 1000s of balls on the range whereas learning to chip and pitch is a relatively simple technique to learn.
The short game also doesn't rely on any strength or flexibility so anyone young, old, strong or week can have a great short game.
Of course I'm not advocating you ignore the long game but as long as you can keep it in play and reach the green somewhere near regulation then a mid to low handicp is not beyond most people's capabilities if they can get up and down
Mattyboy
Tour Rookie
From a personal point of view, having to hit 16 odd greens in reg just to shoot a levelish par round puts far to much presure on me whilst in a comp.
Theres far less pressure if you realise that you only have to hit 11 odd greens to achieve the same score. I.e. A missed green is not an automatic bogey with a decent short game.
Theres far less pressure if you realise that you only have to hit 11 odd greens to achieve the same score. I.e. A missed green is not an automatic bogey with a decent short game.
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
Because no matter how good you are, you need to be able to get the ball in the hole. You aren't always going to hit good shots and you certainly aren't always going to hit greens but if you can take no more than 2 to get down when you're near the green you can still post a score.
muttleee
Tour Rookie
You're the pro...you tell us!
User 105
Journeyman Pro
I always knew short game was important but it didn't really hit home until I started this latest round of swing changes.
Litterally my driving and my irons were all over the shop. So I just focussed on getting the ball near the green within a couple of shots and then my shortgame took over.
I don't need to boom a drive or hit arrow straight irons into greens to score. I know from 100 and in I'm getting down in 2-3 shots. And when I do hit a green in 2 then I'm giving myself a good birdy chance.
My short game basically keeps my score going. My long game just gets me within range to score.
Litterally my driving and my irons were all over the shop. So I just focussed on getting the ball near the green within a couple of shots and then my shortgame took over.
I don't need to boom a drive or hit arrow straight irons into greens to score. I know from 100 and in I'm getting down in 2-3 shots. And when I do hit a green in 2 then I'm giving myself a good birdy chance.
My short game basically keeps my score going. My long game just gets me within range to score.
A
Alex1975
Guest
"Why the short game?" Everyone misses greens no matter the standard but it is those who can turn that situation into a par that do well...!!!
RichardC
Tour Rookie
I think a lot of peoples first go at golf starts at the range. On the range most would normally practice full irons and distance with the driver. The range is not somewhere I would like to practice my short game as most do not have a facility for it, hence why a lot of golfers who ONLY pound the range usually struggle with their short game.
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
He did at 1.03 mate
Jonny
Assistant Pro
In relation to this... there is a reason why I have a miura wedge in my bag and why I'm planning on kicking out the Vokey for something better as soon as I have a bit of spare cash. The short game is incredibly important to my scoring and I want the very best equipment I can get my hands on around the greens.
It might be another miura or it might be a shovel with a wooden stick to hang onto... but I will happily spend huge amounts of cash to get the right club for my game. And then I'll practice and practice until I know I'm going to use it effectively.
That said I still took 3 from 50 yards on the 18th sunday to drop a shot and lose on countback.
It might be another miura or it might be a shovel with a wooden stick to hang onto... but I will happily spend huge amounts of cash to get the right club for my game. And then I'll practice and practice until I know I'm going to use it effectively.
That said I still took 3 from 50 yards on the 18th sunday to drop a shot and lose on countback.
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
is bang on.
Sunday i made pars on 7 holes, (6 par 4's 1 par 3) all from missed greens, chipping close enough for tap in's. good scrambling or whatever, hot wedges make good scores.
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