Up and down in two!

If most amateurs analysed every round, I'd bet that they lose the majority of shots when they have a pitching wedge or less in their hands. The problem with the short game is that it is very much a 'feel' part of the package. But that doesn't mean technique is not important – in fact, it could be argued that good technique is the only way to enhance feel!

If I had just one piece of advice for most golfers wanting to improve their game, it would be this: spend at least as much time practising your short game as you do smashing buckets of balls off the practice tee – it's the only way you're really going to cut down on the amount of lead you need on Saturday morning. With that in mind, then, here are three tips to get you started...

Par tip

Start left, stay left, go more left

Chunking, thinning and generally mishitting chips and pitch shots is more common than Egyptian geese on the golf course!

Very often, this mistake can be traced back to an incorrect setup. For short shots, you must start with your weight favouring the left side. Most golfers set up 'normally' for chips, but as the images here show, the correct setup has the knees bumped towards the target, which settles the weight towards the left side (for right-handers).

Now look at the sequence and you'll see the real key to consistent chipshots: the weight is on the left side at address, remains there in the backswing, and moves even further left on the downswing. You should almost be able to take your right foot off the ground at the end of the followthrough and not fall backwards. So start with the weight left – and finish with it even more left.

“You should almost be able to take your right foot off the ground at the end of the followthrough...”

Why does the weight on the left side really matter?

The chip and pitch swing is too quick and short to allow you to transfer weight to the right side in the backswing – and then back to the left on the downswing. This means it's very easy to get caught with your weight on the back foot at impact – and if that happens, your low point is behind the ball – so you'll catch the ground and chunk it or the club will miss the ground, start its upward arc and you're hitting it in the teeth.

Birdie tip

Buckle up!

The primary challenge in short shots is keeping control of the club and keeping the club moving on the correct path towards the target. The key is to keep the hips and stomach turning in harmony with the swinging of the arms throughout the whole swing. A common amateur fault is to only hit with the hands and arms as shown in the 'incorrect' image. If you end up with your hips facing the target, it is virtually impossible not to have used the mid-section correctly.

“If you end up with your hips facing the target, it is virtually impossible not to have used the mid-section correctly.”

Why does turning the belt matter?

The simple concept of turning the belt blends the movement of the hips and stomach. By turning the buckle through to the target, the arms and club have the freedom to swing on the correct path. If the body stops moving, then the arms and hands are forced to swing to the left and you will invariably get too 'wristy' on the shot. It will be very difficult to control where the ball goes.

Eagle tip

Roll or spin

Here's a tip for the more advanced player who is looking to really control the ball on short shots when circumstances demand it. Depending where the flag is on the green, you might want to get the ball to stop quickly – and other times, you might want it to roll.

One way to do this is simply by changing the way you release the club through impact. If you release by allowing the toe of the club to pass the heel and therefore close the face, the ball will tend to roll once it hits the surface. If, on the other hand, you release the club with the face open, ie you don't allow the toe to pass the heel, then the ball will come off the clubface with more spin.

“If you release the club with the face open, then the ball will come off the clubface with more spin.”

Why does this tip work?

It's the same principle as hitting a tennis ball with topspin or backspin – just not as extreme! Allowing the hands to cross over through impact (right over left as illustrated right) will promote the topspin effect. You know you're getting it right if your left wrist is almost flat, pointing towards the ground, after impact. To get a feel for the spin release, the back of the left hand should face upwards after impact – we also call this a 'cupping' of the left wrist. Don't try this in your living room at home – not without lots of practise!

Tip by Grant Hepburn

Grant Hepburn has been a regular face in Compleat Golfer for almost a decade. His CV includes time spent working on the European and US tours, a partnership with Robert Baker in Logical Golf and an impressive list of top amateur and professional golfers. Having recently returned home, Grant has set up the South African Golf Institute and is based at the Institute’s Cape Town academy at the River Club where he oversees a small, dedicated and highly trained crew of fully qualified PGA professionals.

For more information, phone 021 300 0140 or visit www.sagolfinstitute.com