Every golfer has probably heard the terms “chip” and “pitch” before but sometimes the distinction about what differentiates those shots can be tough to figure out. Typically the answer relates to what happens with the ball during these shots, most notably whether it stays on the ground for the most part (chip) or flies through the air (pitch). What is similar about both shots, however, is that they are key to having a strong short game and often times both require short swings, something many golfers don’t practice enough.

Through my experience as an instructor, I have watched countless students have difficulty executing short swings on the course when they are called for, and the lack of understanding of how to execute such swings when it comes to the short game, especially as it relates to distance, leads to too many wasted shots. Here is a good, simple tool to use on distance control for your short game that we call the three-ball drill. Continue Reading→

Just like a doctor prescribes medication, a good golf instructor intends certain tips only for certain students. The following is strictly for golfers who struggle to get pitches in the air because they don’t effectively use the bounce of the wedge. Is this you? If your ball flight is low, your divots are deep and your club tends to catch in the turf, then all symptoms point to yes.

Your hands are probably too far forward at impact, excessively activating the leading edge of the club. This creates an unforgiving situation in which you must make perfect contact. Even so, the height to your shots will be limited. You must learn to employ the club’s bounce, or to strike the ground with at least a bit of the trailing edge. This is often a better player’s problem, as the instinct of most beginners is to scoop the ball with the shaft leaning too far back through impact.

Try this: Put your left hand in your pocket, and swing the wedge with your right arm only. Feel the clubhead pass your hand as it bottoms out. Now, pretend you’re on a putting green and hit the pitch. It would be a sin to take a divot, and the only way to avoid doing so is to properly use the bounce.

Practice this on a patch of closely mowed turf on your range, not on a green. I don’t want to get an angry letter from your course’s superintendent.

Source Kevin Hinton

2 Ball worst ball Challenge

Set up a 9 hole course.  The shots should be from various lies, lengths and utilise a range of clubs.  At each station hit 2 balls (you can change clubs), once you have hit the two balls pick the worst shot and finish out the hole.  Keep your score and complete the course 2 times.  See if you can improve the second time around.

Repeat at training to challenge yourself, your imagination, and creativity and improve your skills with a range of clubs.

The vast majority of errors in technique begin with poor set-up, so by adopting the correct set-up you will be on track to improving your pitching.

Like most short shots, the set up for the pitch shot is designed to achieve control rather than power from the shot. Setting up correctly is Continue Reading→

The Median Ball Drill – An excellent testing tool for all aspects of your short game.

5 golf balls.  Hit 5 shots from the same position to your target.  Similar conditions for all shots (lie, ball etc).   Eliminate the best 2 shots and the worst 2 shots.  With the remaining ball, measure the distance to the target.  Repeat the drill and try and improve the median ball measurement.

Essentially a pitch shot is a bigger version of the chip shot.  There are a couple of noticeable differences. Continue Reading→