What can I do to improve my short game during the winter?

[bugs]

My short game is lacking in all areas. Since I live in the North, what can I do to make some head wave for next season? If I had to rate, my putting is ok, but my chips and runs are the worst. My golf scores are right around the century mark. My goal next season is to break the century mark and play in the 90s. I added Dave Pelz's "Short Game Bible" and "Putting Bible" to my Christmas list. From reviews I have read, I like Dave Pelz's technical approach to the game. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: What can I do to improve my short game during the winter?

Hi Bugs,

I assume when you say you "live up north" you mean the UK.

You are probably correct when you say your short game is causing your 100+ rounds. Most people I play with 24 and over hit the ball ok it's just the short game that suffers.

I found the house a great place to practice you can chip and run,Putt and little chips with a 60 degree from almost anywhere.

You may feel a little silly at first but once you get used to your wedges and maybe an 8 iron you will stop duffing chip simply because you feel more confident.

Practice lifting the ball from say six feet to a cushion on the chair, once you get good at it your chipping will improve on the course because every time you need to chip the ball six feet to the green you will be confident. The same wih an 8 iron across the landing into a cup, once you get used to doing this to a consistant distance, you will be faced with a chip and run a similar distance on the course and feel confident. Putting is much the same, practice on the landing to an upturned cup until you are really confident at the distance, I use a plastic cup and hit the putt hard enough until it lifts the cup upright with the ball inside(this is good fun).

If you can get in the garden the wifes washing basket makes a good chipping target.

The best option is to invest in an all weather green with a chipping area this is what I did.

www.huxleygolf.co.uk

Hope this helps


Ian.

[gord962]

Re: What can I do to improve my short game during the winter?

If you are practicing in the house and your short game is bad, make sure you put a matress (or something similar) up against the wall. The holes are a pain to fix and the wife gets mad.

When my handicap was in the high teens/low 20's I would work on that part of my game through the winter. Start with putting in the house. Make sure you have enough room t o hit up to 10 or 15 foot putts. Don't putt from the same spot all the time either - move around the room trying to hit the target. If you use the conventional putting method (not claw or crosshanded) try the same technique with your PW.

It is amazing how many people use only their wrists to do short chips. For short chips use your putting technique. When you think about it, there is no difference in what you are trying to accomplish, out than the fact that you want the ball to go in the air for the first 2 to 5 feet. You need to consider the break, but most importantly the correct speed. You should expect to sink as many 10 foot chips as putts.

[bugs]

Re: What can I do to improve my short game during the winter?

Thanks Ian Hancock and Gord962!

The past couple of days I have tried your suggestions. I am starting to see some light.

Gord962 thanks for the mattress idea. That one has already paid off!! Ian sorry I was not specific. I just remembered why all web sites start with "WWW"! By North I meant the Great Lakes region in the US.

[LowPost42]

Re: What can I do to improve my short game during the winter?

Hi bugs. I live north of Lake Huron - so I can appreciate your pain.

The Pelz book is fantastic. I get the whole analytical approach to golf, so it paid great dividends for me.

I've got a 9' putting mat, great for putting, and good for chips, too. I'm considering buying some sort of hitting mat to pitch off of, onto my putting mat. (so I can work on different length chips).

My other plan is to use a dummy club (a really short shaft with a weighted end) to work on my swing form (especially useful for the Pelz clocks).

The other thing I'm considering is hitting Mulligans - it's a chain of indoor golf centers. You swing your actual clubs hitting actual balls into a screen which detects your hit (location and force) and predicts where your ball goes. It's nice playing Augusta and Pebble Beach, after only taking a short drive. It's a touch pricey ($24 CAD/hour), but it's nice to still play.

[bugs]

Re: What can I do to improve my short game during the winter?

Thanks LowPost42.

I wanted to buy Pelz's books right away, but I was asked to hold off because Christmas is so close. So, I promised to hold off so the kids can surprise me!!

Several years ago I spent a little time around Lake Huron on a camping vacation. Of all the great lakes, I thought that was the nicest area. As far as winters go, I'll bet it is pretty and pretty cold!! I lived in Buffalo and Cleveland for a little while. Now I migrating South of Chicago soon to be in the St. Louis area.