Couldn't have said it better myself. While I like to think my short game is "above average" for my handicap, it definitely could be miles better and something I intend on practicing on quite a bit leading up to the TT event at Whistling Straits. it will be vital there for sure...ha

You're going to have a blast at Straits. Such a beautiful place to play golf. Looking forward to seeing the pictures and hearing all about it.

It is crazy how many shots the average golfer leaves out there inside 100 yards, every time I go to a Tour event I love watching the short game practice area, it's fun to see someone hit it 300+ yards, but man those guys are good around the greens. Good luck and have fun in the member-guest!

You need to apply all you learned from the Pinehurst Short Game experience.

Still hate that I had to cancel and miss that event. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

You know Barry, every time I'm around a green I just try to remember what Vokey told me to work on. I need to do it! But what an experience that was...

Definitely my goals this winter,
practice short game as often as I can.

Well put Speedy. Best of luck in your tournament.
Play Well,
Steve S.

Good luck at your event & hope your practice pays off for you.


DM

Have to agree the pinehurst event was awesome

65% of strokes during a round are played from 100 yards and in. I would say that 75% of my practice time is spent with wedges, pitching and chipping, full swing wedges and putting.

You couldn't be more on point, Speedy. I hope you are doing well on your member/guest- good luck!

I would way rather practice my chipping and putting vs smashing crappy balls at a local driving range.
For the most part my short game is pretty solid...Breaking it down I spend about 80% of my time on short game.
Another bonus is that I play challenge games with my kids...these games help me stay sharp at the same time developing my kids short game skills. win...win!!!

Cheers,
Dr. K

You're all right how important the short game is. Can save your butt when the swing isn't quite on. If it helps, here's what I practice to be like Robert C. a little above average on short game. Like the Doc, lots of practice. I think you can do most anything around the green with 4 shots. Short game and putting 50+% of your round.

Around the green, fringe, I "putt" with irons. 8 iron mostly, putting grip, putting stance, putting stroke, to get it going
over any imperfections or bad grass. Make more chipping than putting it. I'll even chip it downhill above the pin
since the chip puts backspin on and it grabs a bit before releasing and rolling down instead of overspin from putt

Flop shot in the deep stuff. Just remember, practice it AND commit. Open up the face and practice will tell you how
much to control your distance. Don't stop or chicken out or you're dead. Lob
wedge. Wide open, full swing you'll have them ducking for a shot that goes 10 feet.

Dead hands, no spin let it run out. Johnny Millers Chunk and Run. Usually a gap wedge

One hop and spin stop. Lob or Gap. Again commit and accelerate. Use the bounce of the club to glide through

Practice, practice, practice, and watch your handicap drop. I practice these before each round and these 4 shots save me over and over. Some folks think I'm nuts chipping from some places where most all would putt, but if you practice the confidence comes and not only can you knock it close many will go in.

Too many times after a great drive do I end up 1 or 2 over par because of my short game. I definitely need to dial in my wedges and confidence to attack the pins more consistently.. your right -driving and putting are key, but it’s what goes on between tee and green which defines your game and you as a golfer.

Short game is everything. They call the short sticks scoring clubs for a reason!

I also think on course practice can't be over done. Assuming there's nobody behind you, it always pays to hit a couple from a lie that makes you uncomfortable. It's super easy to recreate tee ball situations on the range, but it's very hard to do the same for the short game.

One of my favorite games is to play a self scramble, but you play the lesser of the two shots.
Example: One ball hits the green, one finds a bunker, you're playing from the beach. Hit two from the beach and then you have to putt the one furthest from the green. It'll force you to become more consistent with your scoring clubs.

I'm currently about a 14-15 hcp and without a doubt, the worst part of my game is the wedge play. I putt everything from the fringe and anything I can from a tight lie to avoid having to hit wedge shots. I've never had a short game lesson but I could see the potential to save 4-5 strokes per round with some instruction and practice.