There comes a point in a golfer's progress when the swing starts getting the ball up to the green in the regulation number of figures, but the pars still aren't coming. That's because accuracy is not there yet, and there are too many up-and-downs that are not being converted.
To score well, your swing has to be competent. That, however, only makes low scores possible. To get those low scores, your game around the green has to give you the same results as your approach putting does.
When I play, I keep track of three things for each hole: number shots using a full swing, number of shots using less than a full swing (chips, pitches, bunker, etc.), and number of putts. These numbers show you quite clearly where you're losing shots.
For players whose swing is getting fairly good, the number of full swings for a round is, say, 40 or less. But if the pars still aren't coming, odds are you're taking too many short shots. There was a time when your handicap was built on swing deficiencies. Now, your handicap is built on short game deficiencies.
It's time to put in some serious work on your chipping game if you get up and down less than half the time. Pars are there for the taking if you'll beef up your game around the green, and it's not hard to do.
First, get a lesson. Throw away what you know, or what you think you know, about chipping and learn how to hit that shot all over again. After that, practice, then calibrate a chipping game so when you take a certain club out of the bag, you know what is going to happen.
Chipping should not be guess-work. It can be entirely predictable. The mechanics are easy. The applications can be pre-determined. This shot should be money. If you get some training and put in the work, it will be.
Spend a month learning how to do this, starting sometime in the next few weeks. By March, you'll be a different golfer.
Visit www.therecreationalgolfer.com
No comments:
Post a Comment