The short game represents the fastest way to lower your score and handicap.  The short game consists of four parts: Pitching, Chipping, Sand Play, and Putting.  I will explain a technique or techniques for each part.  There are always numerous ways to hit the golf ball correctly.  The key is to find a way for you, the student, to get it.  

Pitching:

Pitching is defined as any less than full swing that travels farther in the air than it runs along the ground.  There are three absolutes to pitching: ball postion, hand position, and controlling the shaft of the club.  

Ball position is directly proportional to the trajectory that you want the ball to fly.  If you want a low trajectory you should position the ball farther back in your stance.  If you want a high trajectory you should place the ball in the front of your stance.  The farther forward you position the ball the higher the trajectory of the ball, but the margin for error is greatly reduced.  One of the most important parts of pitching is controlling the trajectory.

Hand position is very critical in obtaining solid contact with the golf ball.  Solid contact is the key to all golf shots, but especially short shots.  Inconsistent contact leads to a lack of distance control.  Distance control is paramont to good scores.  The hands must start and stay in front of the leading edge of the club.  This creates an angle in the right wrist.  This angle must be maintained throughout the motion.  Consistency is dependant on keeping the hands in front of the leading edge and maintaining the angle of the right wrist.

Controlling the shaft of the golf club while pitching is vital in producing consistent shots.  The shaft is controlled by directing along the desired path on the backswing and the forward swing.  Controlling the shaft aslo aids in trajectory control.  If the shaft is kept low going back and through the ball will be on a low trajectory.  If the shaft is swung high to high than the trajectory will be high.  Consistency is obtained by using shaft properly during the pitching motion.  For more information on pitching click here. 

Chipping:

Chipping is defined as any less than full swing that rolls more than it flies.  Chipping has three absolutes that must be followed each time in order to have a consistent motion.  The absolutes are ball position, weight position and shaft position.  All three must be accomplished each time you attempt to chip in order to be successful at the shot.  

The ball position of a chip is always off the big toe of the back foot.  For the right handed player it is the right big toe and for the left handed player it is the left big toe.  It never changes, never, never, never!

The positioning of the body's weight is vital in assuring proper contact with the golf ball.  The weight needs to favor the front foot.  Left for righties and right for lefties.  The percentage of weight that is placed on the front foot is a personal decision.  The only criteria for choosing is that you stay in the same position for the entire time it takes to complete the shot.  For example, if you pick 65% weight on your front foot, it should never change from that percentage.  Very important!

Shaft position during a chip shots ensures that the ball struck with a desending blow using the correct face angle.  The shaft of the club should be forward leaning with the hands opposite the front thigh.  This is easier if the body's weight is positioned correctly.  See above.  It is extremely important to keep the angle constant during the entire motion.  It should never change from the address position.   For more information on chipping click here.