Short Game practice routines

[Bravo]

OK - I am committing to improving my short game. I think I can lower my HC by 3 if I improve in this area....

I do not have a flop in my skillset and I spent one full hour yesterday at the practice green and hit approximately 200 shots trying to get this skill ingrained. I guess I improved somewhat during my session but frankly left a little frustrated.

I am seeking input on short game practice routines. I am going to be a maniac at learning this.

Input please.

[JasonMacIsaac]

A flop shot is pretty useless for a normal golfer. Rarely do you use it and when you do a high SW/LW pitch shot will work 9 times out of 10. As long as you keep your head down and make a smooth swing you usually pull it off. DON'T DECELLERATE AT ALL.

[nsherman2006]

flop shots don't necessarily require skill, just practice. Even though there is only one or two places on our course that require a flop shot, i learned how to hit it because it's a fun shot to watch, though i barely ever use it on the course. After hitting a few thousand range balls doing flop shots, i have the ability to flop a 2 iron off a range mat successfully, fun trick shot to know, and wins dollar bets all the time That said, i'm still a 10 handicap, and the flop hasn't taken anything off that. If i were you, i'd just learn how to use a 60 degree wedge properly and hit a high pitch, 99% of the time it will get the job done. JMO. Neal

[Rockford35]

I would have to agree here, the Flop is hardly ever used. You'd be more effective learning distance control.

I use my 60* wedge for this almost exclusively. It's very difficult when you start but soon enough it just becomes and extension of you hand.

I use a bucket in the back yard. I hit 10 balls and try to hit it into the bucket. I move forward and back after every 10 balls to try and judge my distance better. You'd be suprised how after a few days you come right out of the gate nailing them after about 3 balls.

Also, if you're at the range, try hitting some right hand only chips. This helps you with the feel of the shot. It also demonstrates that if you decellerate (as JM alluded to), you're dead. When you go back to both hands, you'll see that on a chip with the lob, the left hand is there for support, the right hand does the dirty work.

The simple shots are often the most effective. Getting very complicated always makes your mind get mixed up. And, when you're on the course, it's better to just go and hit it with confidence than to stand over it saying "Oh man, I hate these shots!".

Cheers,

R35

[DaveE]

I think the short game may have more to do with the mental side of the game than any other part.

My practice centers around feeling comfortable with the stroke, then when I'm playing all I have to think about is where I want the ball to land. Confidence is key. I'm a 16 & GIRs aren't all that common so without a good short game pars would be rare.

Most days for me are either 'bring your putter to work day' or 'bring your wedge to work day'. From what you've said, like me you're stuck at a desk most of the time. I like to take little breaks and putt or chip into a styrofoam cup. It helps me ingrain my putting and chipping stroke. If I was closer to range I'd do it differently but that's the way it goes. Lucky for me my office carpet is a smooth short berber.

I have no advice regarding the flop. It's not a shot I even try to use.

[Bravo]

Well I am encouraged a bit from this feedback.

Yesterday, I found that I hit my best shots when I was certain I was accelerating at the bottom of the swing.

Also, as time went on, I became more and more "right hand aware". As you said Rock, the right hand is doing the heavy lifting and the left is along for the ride.

I don't know if I am using the correct term for flop. I need to be able to hit a shot that will carry a deep bunker, land and stop pretty quickly. Say, a shot of about 40 feet where there is little green to work with.

Does everyone else call this a high Pitch? Whatever it is called, I am very inconsistent at it. Sometimes I chunk it and other times I get it close.

[DaveE]

Everybody chunks one sometimes. Seriously, for me it's all in my head. As long as I think my short game is good, then it is. As long as I practice the stroke, I stay pretty confident.

Here's an easy way to stop the ball quick on the green. Play with the HX Blue. Taking over the golfing world, one convert at a time.

[JasonMacIsaac]

Originally Posted by DaveE

Everybody chunks one sometimes. Seriously, for me it's all in my head. As long as I think my short game is good, then it is. As long as I practice the stroke, I stay pretty confident.

Here's an easy way to stop the ball quick on the green. Play with the HX Blue. Taking over the golfing world, one convert at a time.

I can spin a Pinnacle distance or Ultra 500.....I have too much spin

[Loop]

I don't have a huge repertoire of shots. I only practice shots that are simple and easy to execute under pressure, which are the pitch and the chip.
If you're looking for distance control with the pitch, you can either vary your backswing, or change clubs, while keeping the same tempo.
One thing I often need to check is the backswing in the short game. Funny how you focus on the backswing in the full swing, but not while chipping...

[goatster]

i youse the flop on weekends when im working on my game and am not worried about my score. i dosent seem to be that tuff a shot as long as you dont have a tight lie.but im not comfortable enough with it yet to use it during league play unless im way ahead.im able to hit it about 85% of the time.where i play you realy dont neeed it except on hole 9 if you go in the drink.but i think its a good shot to have at the ready because you never know when it will come in handy

[buddha33]

Originally Posted by goatster

i dosent seem to be that tuff a shot as long as you dont have a tight lie.

Great point. Too many times I disregard my tight lie and that's when all hell breaks loose. Otherwise, I don't find the flop to be too difficult and quite fun to execute.

[nsherman2006]

i actually hit flop shots better from tight lies....it's when i get in the fluffy stuff that s**t hits the fan, i always scoop it too much and whiff or hit a purty flop shot that goes 2 feet and comes back at me. The only time i can practice them is on range mats, and i can flop any iron off a range mat, but i always slide the club way under the ball if it's sitting up at all I find that a 60 degree wedge can hit an 'almost flop' shot that works almost as well and much more consistently

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by nsherman2006

i actually hit flop shots better from tight lies....it's when i get in the fluffy stuff that s**t hits the fan, i always scoop it too much and whiff or hit a purty flop shot that goes 2 feet and comes back at me. The only time i can practice them is on range mats, and i can flop any iron off a range mat, but i always slide the club way under the ball if it's sitting up at all I find that a 60 degree wedge can hit an 'almost flop' shot that works almost as well and much more consistently

Sounds to me like you are attacking the ball way too shallow. You probably get the flop off with no spin. This is great if you are always accurate, but having some spin on the ball helps impart control.

Try coming down more on the ball - not much- but enough to get a little more club on the ball. If you get more club, then you don't have to hit it as hard. The spin will do the rest.

Flop/Lob shots are all about feel. Once you get a feel for distance, your lie dictates the shot type. You aren't always going to get a perfect lie, so practicing with perfect lies isn't going to help you all of the time.

Just my thoughts, nothing more...

R35