Three Short Game Shots You Need to Have

The short game presents you with an amazing variety of situations and shots you can use from them. About ninety percent of the short game, though, comes down to just three basic shots -- the greenside chip, the chip from twenty yards, and the chip from fifty yards. Here's how to hit each one so you can get the ball on the green and start putting.

THE GREENSIDE CHIP -- The ball is sitting no more than six feet from the edge of the green, and you have a good lie. The best play is to get the ball on the green and rolling as soon as you can.

Take a 6-iron and stand with your feet about a foot apart and with the ball as close to you as when you putt. Put ball in the center of your stance. Grip down right next to the shaft.

They key to the shot is in not allowing your wrists to break at any time before or after the ball is struck. Keep the clubhead low to the ground on the follow-through. You will feel a slight tugging on your right shoulder (left shoulder for left-handed golfers) if you make a proper stroke.

Hit the ball off the part of the clubface where the rough, grooved part meets the polished toe. This takes off backspin and give you pure roll for controlling distance.

THE AIR CHIP -- The ball is just beyond greenside, but no further than about twenty-five yards away. The ball has to be hit in the air because it has a lot of ground to cover before it gets to the green, but still has some distance to roll to the pin.

Use your sand wedge and set up with the ball in the center of your stance. Bring your feet a few inches closer together than in your swing stance and position the ball three or four inches closer to you than for a full swing. Lean to the left, so that your left leg is perpendicular to the ground.

Take the club back with a bit of break in your wrists, and let them break back to their starting position by the time the club is back to the ball. At that point, gently arrest their breaking motion and follow-through with firm, not rigid, wrists.

Hit through the ball so you make clean contact with the ground where the leading edge of the ball lies. This will pinch the ball off the ground and give it backspin. Keep the clubhead low to the ground on your follow-through.

THE HARD CHIP -- The ball is between twenty-five and fifty yards from the green. Use a 9-iron and set up with the ball in the center of your stance. Bring your feet a few inches closer together and position the ball three or four inches closer to you than for a full swing. Lean to the left so that your left leg is perpendicular to the ground.

The stroke is the same as for the greenside chip, just longer. Take the club back to about waist height and hit through the ball with no wrist break at any time. This is an arm stroke, with only a slight amount of lower body movement.

Make firm contact with the ground where the leading edge of the ball lies. This will pinch the ball off the ground and give it backspin. Your follow-through must be at least as long as your backswing. End the shot with the club pointed right at the target to ensure the ball flies straight.

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