I took a short game lesson with Brian on Saturday. My short game was killing me lately. I've been missing greens, and my pitching, chipping, and sand play have caused my scores to rocket upward. Let's just say that this has been the most productive lesson that I've ever had regarding score improvement. I kept telling myself on the drive to New Orleans to not give in to getting a full swing lesson, but to stick with my original plan of the short game lesson. I'm glad I did. I was basically using a lot of the front (leading) edge to hit everything. I kept skulling or hitting behind it. Brian switched me to the mid-sole pitches/chips and it was MUCH better - and much easier as well. We worked on some no/reverse roll shots. It works great. The putting lesson was brief - one quick adjustment (taking the shaft back outside the plane on short putts). That is now fixed also. The point is that if you are thinking about getting a short game lesson - do it. It was completely worth it.
Short Game Lesson
- Thread starter birdmeal
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jeffreycharris
New
yep, still wanting a look at that short game video
The short game video might be Brian's best seller, should he produce it. I'll be in line with the rest of you waiting to press the "BUY" icon and send my paypal money.
welshdentist
New
When I've practiced mid sole pitches i've borrowed a lie board and focused on the bounce/mid sole hitting the board, not the leading edge, you can also use impact tape to see this.
Basically I was taking the club back only a short distance and effectively de-lofting the club on the downswing. Brian had me get "the club upside down" on the backswing for the pitches and it worked well. For the chips, it was a shorter motion, but I was able to get the same feel in the swing and no longer de-lofted (or came down towards the ball with the leading edge). Leading edge shots had divots. Mid-sole none. In fact Brian showed me some examples of hitting an inch or two behind the ball (on the grass) and the shot was still very reasonable - much more room for error. No grip changes. Reverse roll shots went a bit shorter and to the right, so I had to adjust aiming slightly.
Curious what you mean by upside down?
Club vertical to the ground, I think.
Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
Calling all forum members...
Pleeeeeeeeeeeease try us out for short game lessons. I love the full swing as much as Brian does but if you're really serious about getting better at actually playing golf, invest in some short game work and fall in love with this part of the game.
Pleeeeeeeeeeeease try us out for short game lessons. I love the full swing as much as Brian does but if you're really serious about getting better at actually playing golf, invest in some short game work and fall in love with this part of the game.
cal7426
New
I've stood on my head and watched the swings you've posted on the forum - you look good. But, now I know why you shoot in the mid 80s. Take Kevin's advice and learn to love those inbetween bits.
I always told myself I don't need a short game when you hit 14 fairways and 18 greens......................now I am looking for time to practice the short game
Proper golf is scoring well. And there's no better way to score well than with the short game.
I learned the game (at the age of 13) with persimmon woods, forged blades with pea-sized sweet spots near the hoselm, and mushy balls. And my swing was only so-so. But I learned to get the ball up and down from just about anywhere and to shoot in the low 80s in competition.
If I had today the short game I had when I was 15 I would be a +2 handicap - EASILY!
Learn to get up and down and roll in some putts and you'll enjoy the short game.
vjsinger
New
Pecky, you're a smart guy, maybe what you need is more stimulation from the short game practice. My favorite things to do on the course now is practicing the short game, because I like to bet with my golf buddies and talk SERIOUS trash, that's most of it for me giving my buddies the biz. The other thing I really like is trying to learn different shots, right now I'm working on the Mickelson flop behind the back shot. Be careful when learning that one though
.I must be the opposite of pecky as I love practicing the short game. I have been trying the mid sole pitch and remember having a lesson a few years ago where I was shown how to chip off the practice putting green, making no divot. It felt like throwing the clubhead away with my right hand, is this the right feeling. Also, should the club be more up my right arm in the finish?
welshdentist
New
Mate,
you need to apply that exact thinking to the short game.....
Different clubs, spins and distances.......
The better I get the more I enjoy it and I used to hate the short game too, I am now just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
You can do everything you just said on a range but "playing" golf is all of it.
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