Short Game Practice

[azgreg]

So, I've been trying to work more on my short game, and I changed up my routine. I have one of those ball retriever tubes that holds about 25 balls and I was hitting them all and then picking them up. I decided I didn't like the results. Lately I started just hitting 3 balls and then walking up, grab the putter, and holing them out. Walk back and do it again. I believe this more duplicates "game time", and I'm seeing some results already. Today I was working on 30-50 yard shots (that's about 90-150 feet for my Midwestern friends), and I figured I was getting up and down about 20-25 percent of the time. What do you guys find works for you?

 

[nututhugame]

I like that idea

 

[Fairwaysplitter3320]

I don't really have a short game routine but when I hit the range I "play" the course in my head. Someone here had that idea, can't remember who but it works for me. When I go to the chipping/putting green I usually do something like you are doing with the 3 ball drill.

 

[TrickyPutt]

I start with the putting area, a sleeve of game balls and maybe 1 or two more. They cluster the hole too badly if there are more.

Then I go get a bucket of balls and head to the chipping / bunker area and distribute across uphill and downhill and sand up/down.

Then picking up the range balls I head to the driving range and usually finish with driver.

 

[limpalong]

Can't add much, in that I simply do not practice. We play as early as the course will allow. Therefore, we arrive... go to the first tee... and take off. If I do play later in the day and have any practice time, I'll putt for a short while to get the feel of the greens.
As far as chipping, I believe your "changing it up" is an excellent idea. Few shots lend themselves to as many differing conditions than chipping. Greenside rough, grass bunker, hardpan, fairway, 1 yard or 5 yards... Seldom do two chips require the same shot. If I were to practice chipping, I would change the lie and distance every couple of balls.

 

[eclark53520]

I don't really have anywhere to practice > 10 yard pitch shots. The only place that does allow it is always packed and it's a half hour drive to find out there's already 6 guys there.

When I chip I use the same 3 ball style as I do when I putt. Chip them up, putt them in.

 

[TEA Time]

I don't really have a short game routine but when I hit the range I "play" the course in my head. Someone here had that idea, can't remember who but it works for me. When I go to the chipping/putting green I usually do something like you are doing with the 3 ball drill.

That was me, but I can't take credit for the idea itself. I saw it on some golf show.

I like Greg's idea and will try it next time I'm out.

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

Weather permitting, I goof off in the yard nearly everyday. That's where I get most of my short game practice. I made a big make-shift sand bunker in a spot where grass wouldn't grow and I have a couple PVC holes in the yard. My 6 year old and I like to have wager matches and gamble with chores and ice cream. We'll make par 6's that stretch around the house (I usually cheat and hit over the house, lol). I don't practice at the course much though. Before I play, I always chip off of a clean lie to check the firmness and speed of the greens...but that's about it.

 

[eclark53520]

I used to hit shots over my parents house...till I bladed one and missed the window my dad was standing in by about 2 inches. That put an abrupt end to that little idea.

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

I used to hit shots over my parents house...till I bladed one and missed the window my dad was standing in by about 2 inches. That put an abrupt end to that little idea.

We've had several incidents...

 

[TEA Time]

My brothers and I have broken a few windows that way, too.

 

[eclark53520]

That feeling when you know you caught one thin, and there's nothing you can do to stop it....it's almost like you can see the dimples spinning all the way to the inevitable impact.

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

That feeling when you know you caught one thin, and there's nothing you can do to stop it....it's almost like you can see the dimples spinning all the way to the inevitable impact.

I imagine rear ending another car would give me a similar feeling.

 

[Louie_T07]

when I hit the range I "play" the course in my head. Someone here had that idea, can't remember who but it works for me.

I really like this idea. It would keep me from getting bored on the range. Which is usually what happens out there, when I get stuck just banging away with a few clubs. I'm going to be using this when I get out the the range again!

 

[TrickyPutt]

That feeling when you know you caught one thin, and there's nothing you can do to stop it....it's almost like you can see the dimples spinning all the way to the inevitable impact.

And why do we thin our shots according to the golf gurus?