Short Game Practice Habits

Perhaps less exciting than crushing drivers at the range, practicing the short game effectively will lead to lower scores. Try these short game drills to keep your practice interesting:

• Hit 9 different chip shots. Count how many times you get up-and-down. (One chip and one putt)
• Close your eyes and (safely) toss the ball off the green.  Play it as it lies. Get up-and-down.
• Hit 3 chip shots: With feet together, right foot only, left foot only.

With a partner/teammate:

• Take 10 balls.  For 5 shots, one teammate chips while the other teammate putts out the ball. Switch for the next 5 shots.  Keep score.
• Alternate shot/scotch twosome format game.  Use 2 balls, both hit a chip shot. Then alternate who hits the next shot. Keep score.

Use these drills to keep your short game practices fun, productive, and relevant.

Dodie Mazzuca is the author of “Seamless Golf,” “Golf Sūtras,” “Daily Golf Tap-Ins,” and is the founder of Golf PROformance LLC. She teaches golf lessons, golf schools, and performance coaching in Santa Cruz, CA and Reno, NV.