Mastering the short game is essential for lowering your golf scores.
Chipping and pitching is a crucial part of your golf swing strategy, and this YouTube tutorial is full of techniques and strategies to help you develop a consistent, tour-level short game. By following this advice from our Performance Golf coaches, you can improve your ability to get the ball close to the hole, lower your scores, and enjoy a more reliable short game!
Simplifying Your Short Game Shots
Short Game expert Derek Deminsky’s core philosophy is to make short game shots as simple as possible. When facing a shot around the green, the goal is to choose the easiest option—one that you could successfully execute 100 times over.
His advice? Use the lowest loft possible to get the ball rolling like a putt. For example, using a pitching wedge with a stock technique will produce more predictable and controlled shots. Instead of making a big swing, focus on minimizing errors and keeping the shot simple.
Technique and Club Selection
Derek emphasizes bringing multiple wedges and a putter to any short game shot. By selecting the right club based on the situation, you reduce the need for complicated swing adjustments. He advises players to focus on maintaining a consistent swing technique, allowing the club to do the work in a smooth, natural motion. For most shots, you should aim to use medium or middle trajectory, reserving high loft shots for situations where you have less green to work with.
To practice this approach shot, Derek recommends landing the ball just a couple of steps onto the green and letting the ball roll. This reduces risk and improves distance control on the actual short game shot. Practicing with a towel to measure how each wedge behaves when landing the ball in the same spot can also help.
Adjusting Ball Trajectory
In addition to selecting the right club, Derek encourages golfers to have a plan for controlling trajectory. While many beginner golfers wonder whether to master different trajectories with one club or to achieve this with multiple clubs, Deminsky favors the latter.
By switching clubs to achieve different trajectories, you maintain a consistent swing technique, making the game simpler with less decisions to make on the course. However, for those who prefer one club, it’s important to build the skill of hitting low, medium, and high shots.
To adjust trajectory:
- Low shots: Move the ball back in your stance and lean the shaft forward, allowing the club to dig slightly.
- High shots: Open the clubface, move the ball forward, and take a bigger swing while avoiding the tendency to tilt your body back.
Simplify Your Approach for Success
By simplifying your approach to the short game and focusing on developing a repeatable, consistent technique, you can improve your ability to get the ball close to the hole. This method of simplicity emphasizes using different golf clubs for different ball trajectories, which reduces complexity and increases consistency.
Whether you’re using multiple clubs or mastering shots with one wedge, the key is to have a plan, practice consistently, and aim for simplicity. If you’re serious about improving your short game, these tips will help you develop a more reliable and effective short game that leads to lower scores.
For more detailed instruction, check out Derek’s Stealth Spin Secrets program at Performance Golf.
