SHORTGAME_2015_693.pdf

PA RT 2TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLANSHORTGAMEHow to get up-and-down more oftenand shoot lower scores this summer

A stronger short game starts here...We’ve teamed up withTour coach and TG Top50 pro Jon Wallett to bringyou this short game guideand help you improve in thefour crucial scoring areas -pitching, chipping, bunkersand putting. Amongst others,Jon coached David Howell forthree years on the EuropeanTour and his mantra whencoaching elite players is‘lowest score wins mostmoney’. Jon has a uniquerecord in that, of the sevenplayers he has coached onTour, all of them reducedtheir stroke average in thetime they worked with him.So, who better to help youscore better too. Each of thefour areas in this supplementis divided into three sections– master the mechanics,practice to perform and takeit to the course. Eachprovides a key drill, imageand tour tip. There’s plentyfor you to choose from andlinks to the TG website wheresome of these and hundredsmore tips are explained onvideo. So dive in and makethe commitment to loweryour stroke average like theTour players this summer.Jon WallettEuropean Tour coach andDirector of the EliteCoaching Golf Academywww.elitecoaching.com2 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEStat analysis:Short gameperformanceCOURSEDATE PAR SLOPE RATINGholeparscorepiTchingdisTance To pinpiTchingproximiTy To hole1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18ToTalskeep track of your totals foreach category. check themagainst the date to monitorlong-term improvement.SCOREPITChINGAvE. PROx. TO hOLETOTAL SCRAmbLESchippingdisTance To pinchippingproximiTy To holebunkersdisTance To pinChIPPINGAvE. PROx. TO hOLETOTAL SCRAmbLESbUNkERSAvE. PROx. TO hOLETOTAL SCRAmbLESbunkersproximiTy To holePUTTINGTOTAL PUTTSpuTTingnumber of puTTsPhoTocoPy This scorecard or doWNload iT aNd PriNT more aT WWW.Todaysgolfer/mysTaTsTodaysgolfer.co.uk3

1. PITcHING: THE MEcHANIcSDistance controlTour players have a system for distance control with their wedges. David Howell uses backswing lengths as his control mechanism.The first pointand shortestdistance is onethirdinto thebackswing,hands level withmy thigh.The second pointand middledistance is twothirdsinto mybackswing,hands levelwith my chest.The third pointand full shot isthe top of mybackswing, bodyfully rotated.Go to www.todaysgolfer.co.uk to see this tip and 100s more’4 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEThe Drill:Go shallowDragging a cane orshaft along theground gives youthe feeling of theideal shallowattack angle with alittle shaft lean.Danger move: A steepangle of attack resultsin inconsistent contactand distance control.Todaysgolfer.co.uk 5

1. PITcHING: PRAcTISE TO PERFORMThe image: ConnectedPractising with aball between yourelbows andagainst your chestis a great way ofensuring yourchest, hands andthe club workin unison...... Hold yourfollowthroughand feel asthough theball is stillbetween yourchest and arms.

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMETour tip: In a spinWater ordebris killsspin so makesure you wipethe face aftera practiceswing...... As the levelof frictionat impactdetermines theamount of spinyou can imparton the ball.

1. PITcHING: TAkE IT TO THE cOuRSEKnow your numbersYou have to know howfar each shot witheach pitching club willgo. This eliminatesany indecision out onthe course, allowingyou to quickly matchclub and shot-type tothe yardage.8 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEMy players pitch with threeclubs and have three shotswith each, giving themnine distances across 70yards they can hit.Todaysgolfer.co.uk 9

2. cHIPPING: THE MEcHANIcSThe ChipHave sternum,belt buckle andball in line ataddress, handsjust ahead andfeet closetogether.The turningof the bodymoves theclub.a towel under thearms ensures thechest, hands and clubcome through as onewith the butt pointedat the left hip.Go to www.todaysgolfer.co.uk to see this tip and 100s more’10 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEThe Chip-puttset up like aputt, just movethe ball backand weightforward slightly.It’s a greatoption from theapron just offthe green.keep wristspassive for aslower ball speedthat allows you tobe aggressive.Todaysgolfer.co.uk11

2. cHIPPING: THE MEcHANIcSDrop and stopTake your gripthen open theface. Have ball,sternum andweight left.Hinge androtate yourwrists in thebackswing.Turn the body through quickly,feeling as though the club iscutting across the ball a little.Go to www.todaysgolfer.co.uk to see this tip and 100s more’12 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEThe drill: No ficksDanger move: A‘flicking’ action seesthe body and handsstop but the clubheadcarry on fromthe momentum inyour swing.It is vital to turnyour body, hands andthe club together.The followthrough onlydrill is a greatway of understandingthat feeling.

2. cHIPPING: THE MEcHANIcSAn underarmthrow replicatesthe ideal lightpressure andbody turnfor chipping.The image:No pressureGrip pressureshould be at 50per cent in theshort game –imagine you areholding a tube oftoothpaste and notsqueezing any out.

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMETour tip: Atough spotA great tip I learnt fromthe Tour players is that,when a ball is lying tight– in the edge of a divot,for example...... Lift the heel of theclub. This reducesthe bounce andallows you to strikethe ball incrediblywell. Give it a go!Todaysgolfer.co.uk15

2. cHIPPING: PRAcTISE TO PERFORMGet it closeTry the birdie, par, bogey gameto test your chipping. Set upsix start points that mix lie,distance and angle and chip tothe pin. Inside one club lengthof the hole is a birdie, insidetwo is a par and outside that isa bogey. Double this if you are18hcp or higher. Finish underpar or start again.

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMETake it tothe courseRead the lie: Study thelie closely beforechoosing your shot. Thewrong choice fromheavy rough could seeyou stay in there.Todaysgolfer.co.uk17

3. BuNkERS: THE MEcHANIcSDo thebasicsLay the faceopen, have yourhands in thecentre of yourstance, weighta little on yourfront foot andthe ball forward.The watch onmy left wristpoints towardsme as mywrists hinge.18 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEAcceleratethrough thesand...... For a fullfinish that islonger than thebackswing.Todaysgolfer.co.uk 19

3. BuNkERS: PRAcTISE TO PERFORMThe drill:Perfect strike20 Todaysgolfer.co.ukIn your practice,place the ballon a tee inthe sand…The perfect contact with thesand sees you accelerate.It’s just like striking a match.... Hit the tee from underthe ball, then bury it in thesand with the ball on top andrepeat. If you hit the tee in thesand the ball will splash out.

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEThe image:Sand outFocus on splashing thesand onto the green.Accelerating throughthe ball and a full finishwill help you do it.Danger move: Thebiggest fault I seeis not acceleratingthrough the sand.This causes sand tostay in the bunkerand, if the sandstays, the ball stays.Todaysgolfer.co.uk 21

3. BuNkERS: TAkE IT TO THE cOuRSETour tip: Open upTour pros are all great atthe splash shot, makingthat high, soft-landingbunker escape looksimple. Here arethe keys…Keeping theface open andthe shaft lowhelps you getplenty of height.This is OliverWilson’smethod. Pickthe club upquickly andkeep your leftknee still.22 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEDistancecontrolChange club dependingon the amount ofdistance you have tocover with your bunkershot. Pitching wedge forlong shots, gap wedgefor mid-range and lobwedge for high splasheswhen the pin is close.Take the same amountof sand for every bunkershot, just change club tochange distance.Todaysgolfer.co.uk23

4. PuTTING: THE MEcHANIcSSet upfor successHave your feetshoulderswidthapartand the ballunder yourleft eye…... keep yourarms and theputter shaft ina straightline…... Place your palms flat to either side of theputter before wrapping your hands around.This keeps your hands passive.24 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEOn therisePractise witha towel underyour arms andkeep it there asyou swing backand through.This will keepyour armsconnected toyour body.The stroke shouldproduce a slightlyupwards hit. This‘rise angle’ createstopspin for agreat roll.Todaysgolfer.co.uk25

4. PuTTING: THE MEcHANIcSTrain your aimCheck yourpath by placingtwo shaftseither side ofthe putter. Thehead should besquare for 5cmeither side ofthe ball beforeit arcs.A laser (you can buy onefor around £5 from aDIY store) ensures yourputter face is square tothe hole during practice.26 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEThe drill:Toughen upTry the birdie-par drill,putting from eightspots around a hole –four at three feet away,four at six. The longputts are for birdie, theshort putts for par.Practise with two tees either side ofthe hole to reduce your target and hitthe middle of the hole.Go to www.todaysgolfer.co.uk to see this tip and 100s more’

4. PuTTING: PRAcTISE TO PERFORMThe drill: Build pressureSet up three stations around ahole, each about 15 feet away.You must get the ball within aputter length to move on to thenext ball. If you fail you have tostart again. This is a great drillas it replicates an on-coursescenario, adding consequenceand therefore pressure toyour practice.

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMETour tipTour player Robert Colesmarks a dimple with a penand focuses on thatwhen putting to increasehis concentration.Todaysgolfer.co.uk29

4. PuTTING: PRAcTISE TO PERFORMThe image:Head stillDanger move:Lifting yourhead early tolook at theball causesexcess bodymovement.Practise with anobject on yourhead to forceyou to keepyour head still.30 Todaysgolfer.co.uk

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMETour tip: RoutineLook at thehole…... Then backat the ball…... Swing backand thenthrough.

4. PuTTING: TAkE IT TO THE cOuRSETake it all inStart by stepping back andlooking at the general lie ofthe land for clues about howyour putt will break. The highbanking on the left of thisgreen tells me I’m facedwith a downhiller.

TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLAN: SHORT GAMEMicro readNow come in closer to lookat the last two metres of theputt. This is crucial as the ballwill break more as it slowstowards the hole.Todaysgolfer.co.uk33

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PA RT 1TOTAL GAME IMPROVEMENT PLANLONGGAMEFind more fairways, hit more greensand shoot lower scores this summerMISSED PART ONE?Get it all at www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/longgame

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