Imagine that this winter golf season you never 3 putted one single green! That you made just 20% more putts inside 10 feet. You never bladed or fatted a bunker shot. You never chunked of skulked another pitch or chip shot. In other words every time you teed it up , although you’re not a tour player you could hit a respectable bunker shot, chip shot, or pitch shot every time and with the putter in your hand it in fact felt like a putter not a rattlesnake !

How would those basic short games skills affect your bottom line ability to score? Would you be 3 shots better, 5 shots better or 10 shots better? Only you know the answer to that question. Before you even consider a teacher or coach to help you try the following. Use next month as “trial and error “month! Try your best to go out 2-3 x per week and in a systematic rotation with the time divided equally the best you know how simply touch each area during each practice session .

Try to follow basic fundamental rules of set up and alignment with each shot. Start with putts inside 10 feet, then work on lag putts, then chipping, pitching, and finish with bunker play. Experiment, be creative, self discover!

What I have observed is that when folks do this exercise for a solid month it’s about that time that minor miracles occur. Touch and feel a cornerstone in any short game shot is grossly elevated! A routine is born out of trial and error and therefore a cadence is developed. The imagination starts to sense the nuances of the putting surface via the experience factor. After all repetition is the mother of a learned skill.

Now finally your month comes to an end and clearly your short game is improved. Also at months ends there is a realization that yes I’m better but there are still gaps, still room for even better scoring! Imagine! Maybe now at this juncture a coach could be the next step. Someone to help steer the ship to even calmer waters. To help further develop a strong understanding and confidence that was born in your November exercise.

I feel everyone is highly capable of better execution of the short game. I also feel this is the area if understood and developed later leads to better full swing execution. From tiny acorns giant oak trees grow!

I wish everyone true putts, stoney chips and pitches, and amazing bunker shots!