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No matter how hard you hit the ball, it is inevitable that you will miss the green according to the regulations. From there, the difference between par and bogey (or worse) becomes clear in your short game.
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If you watch professional games every weekend, you’ll notice that they go through these ups and downs on a daily basis. On the PGA Tour last season, players saved par at an average clip of 58.5% after missing the green. It may not be completely automatic, but it’s pretty nifty that it goes up and down 6 out of 10 attempts.
You may also notice that the shots they use to get out of trouble are rarely flashy. High flops and evil spinners are only used when absolutely necessary. Most of the time they are often intended for safe, boring stock chip shots.
Hobby golfers would be wise to take a page out of the book and master this basic shot. Unfortunately, when most people try this shot, it is wildly inconsistent.
One move to fix chipping
Stock chip shots should not be flashy. It must be fundamentally sound and reliable. This means eliminating unnecessary moving parts.
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“I try to keep my wrists level,” says Mike Dixon, Golf Top 100 Instructor. “I don’t want my wrists to hurt on the backswing.”
A common mistake recreational players make is that when they pick up the wedge, they prefer to cock their wrists on the backswing and uncock them during the downswing. This is a great way to create speed on full shots, but usually causes trouble when hitting short chips.
Instead of using your wrists for speed, try using your big muscles. Use your core to turn back and try to keep your wrists quiet throughout the movement.
“I tend to like my lower back to be the controlling factor in this problem,” says Dixon. “You’re not using your hands to move the club; you’re actually moving your pelvis.”
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Once you start using your core to drive the club on these chip shots, you’ll find it’s much easier to control distance, low point, and consistency. Give it a try and you’ll soon be climbing up and down more often.
Win a ghost hole in the short game
Win a ghost hole in the short game
It may sound scarier than it actually is, but trust me, it’s true. SGG Ghost Hole allows you to improve your performance both on and off the green. Each ghost hole (sold in packs of 3) is the exact dimensions of an actual regulation golf hole. There is one difference between this Ghost Hole and other practice cups. Made from durable yet flexible PVC, it’s thin enough to allow golf balls to roll smoothly, but won’t blow away. The flat edge allows you to aim without affecting the ball’s roll. This makes it a great option for practicing distance control with your putter or as a landing target for shots around the green. Many players like to use them during practice rounds and place them where they think the hole will be during an event so they can practice the putts they will face.
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$14.99 from Fairway Jockey
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The post Fix Chipping Instantly with This One Simple Move appeared first on Golf.
