| What can you get out of a golf academy short | | | | keep the ball low, shift approximately 75 percent |
| game instruction? Well, let me first say that we all | | | | of your weight to the balls of your feet. If you |
| know the frustration of missing those simple 1 | | | | have to take a higher shot, adjust your chest |
| foot putts, but if you can get your short game as | | | | further back with only 60 percent of your weight |
| short as possible you can then go back and | | | | forward. |
| practice those putts at home or in the office. So, | | | | - Learn to chip with less force. Many golfers tend |
| take your mind off of those missed putts and | | | | to overpower the chipping which lead to more |
| focus on your short game for a moment. | | | | frustration. Thinking more about the sweetspot |
| Just like any sport, practice will really improve | | | | when you chip will create better results then |
| your short game. You know, practice not only | | | | focusing on the force behind the swing. |
| involves the physical, but the mental part, which | | | | Remember to also keep your impact with the ball |
| should be practiced also. The mental part of the | | | | on the backside of the ball to keep it from going |
| game is in many ways just as important as the | | | | into the clouds (too much air). |
| physical and many golf academies around the | | | | - When using a 7 or 8 iron, try gripping closer |
| world will indicate this. | | | | down towards the bottom of the grip. Some golf |
| Here's basically what you'll get when attending a | | | | academy short game instructors would say to |
| golf academy short game instruction session. | | | | use a putting stroke, with the open stance, slightly |
| Keep in mind that every academy will teach the | | | | aligned with the target line, when using the 7 or 8 |
| basics of the short game and some will be more | | | | iron. When you pull the club back, it should be |
| detailed than others. But generally, you'll discover | | | | about 18 inches. Always accelerate smoothly. On |
| most golf academy short game instruction will | | | | the downswing don't uncock your wrists too |
| reveal the following items to commit to memory: | | | | early. |
| - 90 percent of the game is mental. Yes, it's all in | | | | - Have you heard of the "flamingo drill"? Basically, |
| your head (so to speak). If the mind is focused, | | | | it goes like this: 1) hit some chips and pitches with |
| prepared and in gear to make the shots, then the | | | | the toe of your rear foot balanced on your front |
| body will follow. It's been said the Tiger Woods | | | | foot. This will place your weight on your front leg. |
| dad taught him to visualize in his head where the | | | | 2) place your foot down to the normal position |
| ball needs to go before he made a swing or putt. | | | | and hit a few more. At this point you should |
| It's true and it works for me. | | | | notice how the exercise helps to prevent hanging |
| - 70 percent of shots are made within 120 yards | | | | back and giving the ball too much flight. With this |
| of the hole. If you look at it this way, then a 365 | | | | drill you should also make note that if your head is |
| yard hole should not be as intimidating since you | | | | behind the ball, your weight will also be behind the |
| really only need to master the 120 yards where | | | | ball (which you don't want). 3) try to keep your |
| the 70 percent of your shots will be made. To | | | | weight on the front to prevent fat chips. |
| some, this is more of a mental part of the game | | | | Well, there you have some of the basics of a golf |
| that you should master as opposed to the | | | | academy short game instruction. One last thing, |
| physical. Although, both are equally important. | | | | let's remember to enjoy the game in the middle |
| - Chose the right club that matches your distance | | | | of trying so hard to get the short game |
| and height. With that in mind, you want the ball | | | | perfected. |
| out of the air as much as possible. In order to | | | | |