Stop Wasting Shots Around the Green (Here's How)

Does this sound familiar? You pure a drive straight down the fairway, hit a solid approach that just trickles off the edge of the green, and you're feeling great. What should be an easy up-and-down for par suddenly turns into a flubbed chip, a bladed pitch, and a frustrating double-bogey.

All that hard work to get near the green, wasted in just a few feet.

If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. It's the most common frustration I hear from amateurs. They spend hours trying to perfect a 300-yard drive but neglect the shots that can truly save their scorecard.

The biggest mistake I see? Golfers automatically reaching for their highest-lofted wedge (the 56°, 58°, or 60°) for every single shot around the green.

While the high, soft-landing flop shot looks amazing on TV, it's often the riskiest shot in the bag. For most situations, there's a much simpler, more reliable way to get the ball close.

My advice? Think less air, more ground.

The less time the ball spends in the air, the less can go wrong. Your goal should be to get the ball onto the green and rolling like a putt as quickly as possible.

Your Actionable Tip: The Bump-and-Run with an Iron

Next time you're just off the green with no obstacles between you and the pin, leave the lob wedge in the bag. Instead, grab a 9-iron or even an 8-iron.

Here’s how to play it:

1. Take Your Putting Grip & Stance: Use the same grip you would for a putt. Your stance should be narrow, with your feet close together.

2. Ball Position: Play the ball in the back of your stance, off your back foot's big toe.

3. Press Hands Forward: Lean the shaft forward so your hands are ahead of the clubhead. This de-lofts the club and ensures a crisp, downward strike. Put about 70% of your weight on your front foot.

4. Make a Putting Stroke: Don't break your wrists! Just like a putt, use your shoulders to rock the club back and through. The motion is small and controlled.

The ball will pop onto the green and release towards the hole just like a putt. It's a lower-risk shot that eliminates the bladed skulls and chunky duffs.

Drill of the Week: The Iron Ladder

Next time you're at the practice green, take three balls and place them a few feet off the edge.

• First, hit all three to a specific hole using your Pitching Wedge.

• Next, hit all three to the same hole using your 9-iron.

• Finally, hit all three using your 8-iron.

Pay close attention to how little you need to swing, how the ball lands, and how much it rolls out with each club. This will build your feel and give you a whole new set of tools to use around the green.

Give this a try during your next round or practice session and let me know how it goes. What's your current "go-to" club for chipping? Just hit reply and let me know!

To lower scores,
GolfStrategyZone.com 

Daily News for Curious Minds

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!