The short game in golf is the great equalizer and is what can allow almost anyone to shoot really good scores even if they are not the longest of hitters. Hitting pitch shots around the greens are important and can save you a lot of shots during your round. Practice is critical if you want to get good at these shots so spend as much time as you can around the practice greens hitting shots from various different lies and positions. Look for the worst lies you can find such as bare and buried lies and learn to hit from them as this will make the shots on the course seem easy in comparison.
Ball position:
When hitting most chip shots you want to use an open stance and keep the ball positioned toward the center of the stance or even lined up with your right foot (right handed players). During the chipping motion the length of the backswing should determine how far the ball goes, you should choke down on the pitching wedge also to promote better control and accuracy. Be sure to accelerate through the shot and keep the left hand and club shaft lined up through impact as this will promote a downward blow to the ball and prevent a scooping motion which can lead to fat or skulled shots.
Remember that chipping is only one component to the short game, be sure to also focus on the other areas like sand shots, putting and the wedge game. Putting is a very important part of golf and is something that almost anyone can master if they are willing to put the effort necessary. In order to become a great putter you need to master a particular technique and then also become solid at managing the mental aspect of putting. Many golfers get obsessed with changing putters and putting techniques thinking that this is the key to getting better, however you are better off mastering one particular technique and focus on working on the mental side of putting and honing your existing stroke in order to take your game to the next level on the greens.
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