Short Game Practice Schedule
Like the “Full Swing” Practice schedule, this will be a 60-ball session, starting
with chipping practice, and moving through the system. This can be cut to a 30ball session when time is short, or before you play.
1) Chipping: Pick any one of your chipping distances and pick a target at
that distance. Simply chip 10 balls toward that target, working only on
your fundamentals, and 7 – 5 chipping motion, see how many are close
enough to what you would consider “a good result”, the higher your
percentage of good results are, the lower your scores will be!
Practice Tip: (really pay attention to fundamental #3. Keep your head
very still through impact and resist the urge to take a peek.
To best eliminate the “Thin / sculled” shot, “Listen for the ball to
land, before you take a look
(10 balls only) this is to keep you focused, and easily track your
percentages
2) 2) Finesse Shot: Pick any one of your finesse distances and pick a target
at that distance. Simply Finesse 10 balls toward that target, working only
on your fundamentals, and 9 – 12 Finesse motion, see how many are
close enough to what you would consider “a good result”, the higher your
percentage of good results are, the lower your scores will be!
Practice Tip: When doing this drill, pay particular attention to
Fundamental #2. (Keep control of your feet) Now that the swing is
getting bigger, we need to ensure we stay in balance, and our COG is
not moving around. Keep the pressure on the knuckles of your big
toes, and control the ground.
(10 balls only) this is to keep you focused, and easily track your
percentages
3) Pitch Shot: Pick any one of your pitching distances and pick a target at
that distance. Simply pitch 10 balls toward that target, working only on
your fundamentals, and 9 – 12 (1-2 Pitching motion), see how many are
close enough to what you would consider “a good result” , the higher
your percentage of good results are, the lower your scores will be!
Practice Tip: As the “pitch shot, is basically ½ of a full swing, this is
the perfect time to work on “The Piston” the release of the clubhead. This shot requires you to focus on, firing the piston in a
shorter swing…from 9 – 3. This is a great opportunity to work on
your release!
(10 balls only) this is to keep you focused, and easily track your
percentages
4) Greenside Bunker: Pick one of your wedges you would use in the
greenside bunker, (ie) sand wedge, lob wedge etc. 10 balls toward a
target on the green, working only on your fundamentals, ball position off
your target side toe, and 9 – 12 Finesse motion, see how many are close
enough to what you would consider “a good result”, the higher your
percentage of good results are, the lower your scores will be!
Practice Tip: As in “all” short game shots, the power source is the engine,
especially in the bunker. This would be a great time to focus your attention
on getting your engine all the way to the target, and finishing hands high.
(10 balls only) this is to keep you focused, and easily track your
percentages
5) The Lob Shot: Since this is the exact same set-up and move as the
bunker shot, practice 10 high “lob shots” to a short target. It’s always
nice to have the confidence to play this shot when you need it.
Practice Tip: This would be a good opportunity to work on holding your
Center of Gravity still when the ball is not at the bottom of the swing, like it
is with Driver, fairway woods, bunker shots, and lob shots. Place a decoy
where the bottom of your swing will be, and focus on the decoy, while you
do your 10 swings.
(10 balls only) this is to keep you focused, and easily track your
percentages
6) The “Toe down chip shot”: This is a great shot to have in your bag,
and it’s easy to do if you practice it a little. Find some long rough
around the green and practice this shot with your Pitching Wedge
until you feel comfortable with these deep grass chips.
(10 balls only) this is to keep you focused, and easily track your
percentages
(Remainder of your Practice Balls)
As in the Full Swing Practice schedule, the remainder of your large bucket
should be used for (Random Practice) hitting different shots from different
places helping to improve your new skill set, and giving you confidence to hit
those shots on the course, and of course it’s always better if you play a game
with a friend, this will keep you focused and help bring your range game to the
golf course.