100 yards in

[alien270]

need some advice on this distance ladies and gents..
i tend to waste good drives and good hits around this distance.
100 yards in i usually would take a 56* or my 52* depending on the conditions
and if it green is elevated.
why is it so hard to get an up and down from this area..
and my chipping.. god damn anyone got tips on chipping??

sorry just have to vent just came home from a bad round of golf..:mad:

[Grass Roots Tour]

Agreed. I usually try to lay up to 100 yards hoping I'll be able to stuff it from there but I'm still no pro in that dept.
How do you develop precise distance control like tour pros? Obviously this will require consistant tragectory but how do you develop that.
I don't "feel" the back of my left hand at impact like some might suggest.



I feel like ALIEN where good birdie opportunities are sometimes lost by not stuffing these easy 100 yard pitches.

LOST

[alien270]

im honestly more confident hitting from 150 and in than 100 yards in
chipping OMG played 3 rounds so far this year and for sure ive wasted 10 strokes on them per round.. skulls and chili dips :help:

[Grass Roots Tour]

Alien... sounds to me like a simple ball position being too far foreward in your stance for your chips. This leaves the club approaching the ball on the upswing (skull) or hitting behind it (chilidip). Same probelm, two results.
Move the ball back and put some weight on your front foot (the one closer to the target) left foot if your a righty.
This same advice may help your full approach wedges too.

Good Luck dude.

[alien270]

thanks grt..
its funny but i can have some good chips and just boom all sudden theres a dumb dumb shot.. thats what i call it.. gotta love this sport;)

[Mule56]

need some advice on this distance ladies and gents..
i tend to waste good drives and good hits around this distance.
100 yards in i usually would take a 56* or my 52* depending on the conditions
and if it green is elevated.
why is it so hard to get an up and down from this area..
and my chipping.. god damn anyone got tips on chipping??
Alien,
I have to ask a question. Do you find that the shots that go bad on you are shots that you are taking full swings. The reason I ask is my instructor told me to use more club and less swing. His point was the ball and your score card does not know that you hit half a pitching wedge for a 60 yard shot instead of a lob wedge. Short game shots are about controlling line and distance, much like putting. Pelz's book tells us that some of the best short game players feel that the 9:00 swing produces their best shots. They play to the distances the a 9:00 swing with any club will allow them to attack the pin. It is something I work on and when I do it right it work wonders.
Mule
Mule

[Mok]

Alien,
I have to ask a question. Do you find that the shots that go bad on you are shots that you are taking full swings. The reason I ask is my instructor told me to use more club and less swing. His point was the ball and your score card does not know that you hit half a pitching wedge for a 60 yard shot instead of a lob wedge. Short game shots are about controlling line and distance, much like putting. Pelz's book tells us that some of the best short game players feel that the 9:00 swing produces their best shots. They play to the distances the a 9:00 swing with any club will allow them to attack the pin. It is something I work on and when I do it right it work wonders.
Mule
Mule
that is great advice, so basically club up and do a half swing...correct?

[Special_K]

need some advice on this distance ladies and gents..
i tend to waste good drives and good hits around this distance.
100 yards in i usually would take a 56* or my 52* depending on the conditions
and if it green is elevated.
why is it so hard to get an up and down from this area..
and my chipping.. god damn anyone got tips on chipping??

sorry just have to vent just came home from a bad round of golf..:mad:
I think it really depends on your handicap. Up and down from 100yrds is reserved for pros I think. I would say, try really really hard not to make 4 from that location. 3 is ok, but consider it good if you gave yourself a good chance to make that 2. Don't stress because you can't consistently get it up and down from that location. If you're a mid to high capper, aim for 3. Fire at the good spots on the greens and not sucker pins.

Inconsistent chip shots sounds like too much hands. Keep that left wrist from breaking down.

[jsunsun]

from 100 yards, if fairway is relatively firm and leads directly to the green, you can consider a pitch shot and let it run to the green. This sure beats trying to take a full LW and shank it 150 yards.

[Mule56]

that is great advice, so basically club up and do a half swing...correct?That's the trick.
Mule

[alien270]

on pitches do you guys hinge your wrist or do you just set up the club square..
i usuall open my stance and normal grip.. ive heard other people use a stronger grip on pitches and chips?


had a 60* last season and my chipping was 7/10 but this year ive started chipping probably 4/10 too many wasted shots from around the green.
and im finding it difficult to find a range that has any form of short game facilities, i mights just go find a park and bang some balls there:(
now when i have a shot from 90 yards in it plays with my head that here we go again... and if i try to lay up from 100 yards out ill pretty much be wasting my strength off the tee. golf what a game :D

[haribo]

You can practise short game on any driving range. It's nice to have a designated short game area but you can make up for it by changing your practise goal a bid. What it comes down to is getting the ball close. Well, if you don't have a chipp and pitch area at hand concentrate on pure distance control. For instance, instead of hitting drivers and long irons on the range ... how about this drill:

Take your lob wedge (58 -60+*) and six balls. With the first ball make a chipp that goes just a few yards. Take the second ball and let it land on top of the first and let it run out a bid further. Third ball, make it land on top of second and run out, etc., etc. You will find that when you get to your sixth ball you're making pretty much a full swing to achieve your goal.
Now, take your sandwedge (54-57*) and another six balls. Use the first six balls as target and do the same thing over again only now with the sandwedge. In order do do that you will have to alter your swing.
Therein also lies another opportunity to switch up this drill. (now it gets creative ... yes, some certain guy will crucify me for that again but hopefully I'm still on his ignore list) There are two ways to do that. A, the easier way and the one you should start with is shortening your swing. B, the tougher one, keep your swing as it is or make it even longer ... but play the ball higher. (tip: change ball position... you don't need to open your club necessarily ... but that depends on how high you want the ball to go each time ....;-)

You see there's a lot you can do on a regular range. That drill will help you with everything, from 100 yards in to the way you chipp and pitch.

haribo

[alien270]

thanks for the tips i will definetly change my practice routine..
and try other ideas

[Mule56]

on pitches do you guys hinge your wrist or do you just set up the club square..
i usuall open my stance and normal grip.. ive heard other people use a stronger grip on pitches and chips?Alien,
On pitches a neutral grip, on chips your normal grip.
Pitches - The neutral grip with soft hands will allow the wrist hinge to happen naturally and is dependent on the length of the swing (7:30, 9:00 or 10:30). Place the ball in the middle of a narrow stance. Turn the toe of the lead foot to about 45 degrees. Retain the knee flex. Rotate the whole body until you reach the desired, 7:30 9:00 or 10:30 position. Rotate through the ball to face the target in a smooth motion. Do not decelerate. Watch the ball launch and pray you don't take half the hole out when it hits. Practice this for a few weeks and you'll find your next shots will be 10 foot or less putts, instead of 30 footers.
Chips - Feet close together, parallel to the line. Turn both toes to about 30 degree's. Hips remain parallel to the line. Weight on front foot. Now it's just your putting motion. Trying using every club in your bag including your woods. Again, practice this for a couple of weeks and watch your hole-out ratio go up at tap in become a regular event.
Mule

[alien270]

Wow once again thanks to everyone that replied
i will definetly try some of your tips :D

[haribo]

I actually believe it's better to have a stronger grip (left hand only - for righties) then normal when chipping. It helps with keeping the wrist firm. It also helps to get a more descending blow, meaning you are more likely NOT to descelerate. Which of course is the death to chipping.

Just my .2 cents.

haribo

[Grass Roots Tour]

I think you'll quickly find that the grass in parks is far too long and fluffy (lack of a better word) to make any sort of use for your short game. I used to live beside a huge empty park that no one played in. Even I couldn't find use for it with my shagbag.
Most courses I've been to will allow you to use their practice green (if they allow chipping at all) even when you don't plan to play. I would use my usual course for this so at least you may know someone who works there.

[el tigre]

I actually believe it's better to have a stronger grip (left hand only - for righties) then normal when chipping. It helps with keeping the wrist firm. It also helps to get a more descending blow, meaning you are more likely NOT to descelerate. Which of course is the death to chipping.
haribo I don't think you really want a descending blow when chipping. As Mule pointed out, a chip is executed with a putting motion - which is a motion that is level with the ground rather than a descending blow.

IMHO there are many, many golfers that seem to be confused about chipping and pitching, and think they are basically variations of the same shot. They are totally different shots with totally different swing mechanics. IMHO, Mule's explanation of the swing mechanics for chipping and pitching was bang on. IOW, a pitch is a mini-variation of the full swing, where the aim is to get the ball up in the air. A chip is a putting motion played back in your stance (in order to de-loft the club you are chipping with), where the aim is to get the ball rolling on the ground as quickly as possible. Totally different shots.

You can pitch from 5 yards off the green (a flop shot is basically a specialized version of a pitch), and you can chip from 50 yards off the green (a bump-and-run is basically a specialized version of a chip). The technique you choose depends mostly on the trajectory and roll you want to achieve, rather than the distance you are from the green.

From my experience, I see a lot of golfers that only use the pitching technique even though they call it "chipping". My advice would be to learn both techniques, following the excellent explanations that Mule has given. Then you can really get creative around the greens. Good luck!

[haribo]

Let's not get confused here. The difference between a pitch and a chipp is quite simple. With a pitch the wrist breaks/cocks and with a chipp the wrist stays firm and doesn't break/cock at all. That's the entire secret. It's that simple.

It might be a foreign concept to many but there is more than just one way to chipp. The technique mentioned by Mule is the one closest to putting. (One should in that case even employ a putting grip. Makes this technique even more efficient.) It's easy and best suited for a beginner. It works with all kind of clubs up to a wood.

Nothing wrong with this technique. The ball reacts in a certain way and that's all you get out of this technique.
I on the other hand prefer not to limit myself to only one way to chipp but rather let the situation I'm facing determine which way to approach it. For me it all depends on what I got to deal with. Do I have lots of green or did I short side myself and have only little green to work with? Is the green very endulated (lots of break) or flat? Is a low trajectory with lots of run or a higher trajectory with medium to no run more beneficial? Last but not least what's the situation my ball is in? What kind of lie do I have?

Bottomline is to keep it simple but I prefer to have more weapons in my shot arsenal than just one way to chipp.

Just look at the tricky downhill lie chipp shot Pam was facing during the finale at the Big Break III. If you only know one way to chipp like the putting-stroke technique Mule is talking about you are pretty much f@cked in that situation. If you know other ways to get out of jail it's not that tough at all.

haribo

P.S.
Seve Ballesteros is/was one of the best short game magicians ever. I learned that stronger left hand grip from him.
On the other hand you are correct, it is certainly not well suited for the "putting stroke/grip" chipp.

[Mule56]

[QUOTE=haribo]
>>>>It might be a foreign concept to many but there is more than just one way to chipp.
You are correct

>>>>The technique mentioned by Mule is the one closest to putting. (One should in that case even employ a putting grip. Makes this technique even more efficient.) It's easy and best suited for a beginner. It works with all kind of clubs up to a wood.

Not true in my case. I do not use a putting grip to chip, as I mentioned. Just a normal grip.

>>>>Nothing wrong with this technique. The ball reacts in a certain way and that's all you get out of this technique.

If that's all you know of the technique

>>>>I on the other hand prefer not to limit myself to only one way to chipp but rather let the situation I'm facing determine which way to approach it. For me it all depends on what I got to deal with. Do I have lots of green or did I short side myself and have only little green to work with? Is the green very endulated (lots of break) or flat? Is a low trajectory with lots of run or a higher trajectory with medium to no run more beneficial? Last but not least what's the situation my ball is in? What kind of lie do I have?

Delofting and opening the face will aid in the effects your looks for

>>>>Just look at the tricky downhill lie chipp shot Pam was facing during the finale at the Big Break III. If you only know one way to chipp like the putting-stroke technique Mule is talking about you are pretty much f@cked in that situation. If you know other ways to get out of jail it's not that tough at all.

Not true. I was faced with a similar shot the other day. Par 3 - tee shot pulled. Left me on the down side of a hill, in the ruff. Hitting to a green that ran down hill away from me to the pin. 10 yards to carrier to the green 15 yards from the apron to the pin. Open the face slightly, hands just about even with the ball. Popped it out hit the green, checked up and dribbled to the hole. 1 putt from 6 inches. PAR, thank you. Pam's lack of experience showed large on that shot. She even admitted she needed help because she didn't know what to do.
QUOTE]

Alien was look for a way to get out of a funk. Going to basic chipping and pitching technique is the purest way to that. Adding finesse after the funk is gone is simple and more than effective, than starting with finesse. Even a beginner single digit handicapper like me can use it.
Mule

[canadalgt]

Can you guys recommend any good instructional videos specifically for the short game? Thanks in advance.

[Mule56]

Can you guys recommend any good instructional videos specifically for the short game? Thanks in advance.I'm not sure if the Dave Pelz book "The Short Game Bible" is on video yet, but if it is, I would certainly recommend it. If not get the book.
Roger Gunn also has a great series out and I''m sure if you contact him, at the link below, he will let you know which one covers the short game. Be careful though, you may want the rest of his series after you see one. :D
www.GolfLevels.com (http://www.golflevels.com/)
Mule

[alien270]

just to update this thread.

i played last friday at southern pines here in hamilton
its a par 61 short course mostly filled with 200+ par 3s
and some sprinkled par fours.. i didnt have too many dum dum shots
i would say maybe 3-5... and i played my best game ever :D
thanks to everyone that gave advices
:)

[mikemakeitso]

I usually take a 9 iron with a 3/4 swing... and beg my ball to hit the green... Sometimes it's on, sometimes I pull it... but hardly ever shank it. Probably because of the 3/4 swing...

Why is it that 100 yards in on the range, with those small greens seem so much easier... Probably, because we are hitting so many balls consecutively...

[golferboy]

I think the key is knowing the right club to dial in from 100...this will give you the confidence to hit it tight. If you know its 100...you wont think about it and just pull that club. I know my 52 is my 100 yd club...no ifs ands or butts....


Chipping...weight on left foot and hit down with smooth stroke

[Shadow]

Chipping...weight on left foot and hit down with smooth stroke IMO, chipping, without hitting slightly down on the ball, leads to inconsistent results. If the club head is level coming through the right wrist is losing it flex or bent back position and this is the start of a flipping motion which will lead to fat/thin shots. Clip the grass on this shot.

If a flop shot is needed, then allowing the bent right wrist to straighten will aid in popping the ball up.

Also, I think that it is really important that you get to know what kind of results that each of the clubs will give you. It seems that many people are constantly changing their equipment, particularly the wedges. It takes several months and a lot of practice to get to "know" these clubs and once this confidence is developed, the chances of a good shot go up.

If it is possible, go out on the course and put yourself in the most difficult position possible around a particular green and practice the various shots to see what works best. This will make executing a normal shot seem a lot easier.

If there is one key to success, it is to always hit through the ball. Stopping at or just past the ball leads to inconsistent results.

[TehFlakes]

i'm not sure if i read about this here or saw it on the golf channel but i've added a 3/4 pitch shot to my aresenal and wow it helped me a lot on saturday!

[tjhayko]

I usually take a 9 iron with a 3/4 swing... and beg my ball to hit the green... Sometimes it's on, sometimes I pull it... but hardly ever shank it. Probably because of the 3/4 swing...

Why is it that 100 yards in on the range, with those small greens seem so much easier... Probably, because we are hitting so many balls consecutively...

Hitting all those balls to exactly the same spot does make it easier, doesn't it? I know I'm going to have a good (for me anyways) round if I start hitting greens from anywhere around 100 yards, even if I'm not sticking it close.