It’s just A GAME Part 2 – “Just keep chipping away at it”
If you’re a golf nerd like me and have watched a lot of golf over the past few months, you would have paid spectacle to some of the most brilliant short game skills, that I’ve ever seen. The Masters, as always proved once again that a player with a sharp short game always tends to rise to the top, especially under difficult conditions. The Arnold Palmer Inv. was no different. Wind, firm greens and narrow fairways couldn’t fluster even the best but, a very calm, almost veteran-like Scottie Sheffler showed the world that with good ball striking and a great touch, anything is possible, even World no.1. Some might even say that his chip-in on the front at the Masters changed the flow of the game and secured his green jacket for him.
It’s unfortunately inevitable, no matter how far and straight the Pros or any decent golfer may hit the ball, it’s the short game that keeps your round …well, short!?. So, to continue with the last issues’ issue. Let’s move greenside and remove that chip off everyone’s shoulder.
Remember to always keep these drills fun and game-like. Most individuals learn better when they are enjoying what they’re practicing. Keep challenging yourself with these drills and fall in love with the act of play. It really does lower your scores. I mean, Golf… is just a game after all.
The Grand Canyon
Begin by placing two sticks, parallel to each other moving away from the cup. The ends of the sticks should be hole high and approximately 3 ft apart with the cup in between. Place another stick perpendicular to those sticks 2m – 3m away down gradient still on the green. (Fig 2a) Then place a tee at 3, 6 & 9 meters away, on a flat medium fairway. This is where you’ll chip from. The aim is to land each chip shot in between the sticks, ensuring they cover the distance of the 3rd. Sort of like jumping into a canyon. Start at the closest tee, use 6 balls at a time and keep your scores. 6/6 is possible.
Beginner
- Goal – 3/6 – 2/6 -1/6
- Slope – gentle /flat
- Landing Zone – large
Intermediate
- Goal – 3/6 – 2/6 – 1/6
- Slope – gentle
- Landing Zone – medium
Advanced
- Goal – 5/6 – 4/6 – 3/6
- Slope – medium
- Landing Zone – medium
Pro
- Goal -6/6 – 5/6 – 4/6
- Slope – medium/steep
- Landing Zone – medium/small
Ladder Work
Begin by placing 6 sticks on the green in a ladder-like arrangement. The sticks should be equally spaced at 2ft to start. (Fig.2b) Place a starting tee approximately 3m away on a medium fairway preferably down gradient for starters. The aim of this game is to work your way up and down the ladder, 5 balls at a time attempting to land each shot in its respective landing zone. You can increase the distance of your starting point and decrease stick spacing to make it more difficult. Also, use different clubs and experiment with different trajectories.
Beginner
- Goal – 3/6
- Slope – gentle /flat
- Landing Zone -2ft
Intermediate
- Goal – 5/6
- Slope – gentle
- Landing Zone – 2ft
Advanced
- Goal – 5/6
- Slope – medium
- Landing Zone – 1ft
Pro
- Goal -6/6
- Slope – medium/steep
- Landing Zone – 1ft
X Marks the spot
Start by placing 12 tees around any hole in an X shape. The inner tees should be 1 ft apart from each other with the cup in the middle. Additional tees should have a half foot spacing and follow the X shape. (Fig. 2c) The aim of the game is to chip from the given distance into the ‘marked’ area and score points Following a points-based system is a fun way to play this and can be done in groups. Ensure there is enough landing area on the green to allow for rollout and experiment with different clubs. Increase distance when suitable.
- 5pts – in the hole!
- 4pts – within the first X
- 3 pts – within 2nd X
- 1 pts – within 3rd X
- 0 pts – outside
