Everyday at Westchester Country Club, our beautiful and spacious driving range gets a tremendous workout. Almost never is there space that is not occupied with members swinging with vigor long into the evening hours. Conversely, at Westchester we have a really super short game area with several bunkers, 2 huge pitching, chipping and putting green that have lovely undulations that enable the player to simulate any possible on-course situation. IT’S A GHOST TOWN!!!!!

Last year at Westchester, I gave approximately 1000 golf lessons; under 20 were short game lessons. I try to emphasize to students that annually on the PGA Tour the leader in both greens in regulation, as well as driving accuracy show a year-end percentage in the 75% range. That’s the leader! This means the best players in the world miss at least 25% of greens and fairways on a regular basis and shoot lights out! I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out why.

I currently border line plead with my students for both them and I to spend time both on their short game technique, as well as their short game management skills. I also dramatically emphasize that minimally, they should structure their practice time ratio approximately 60/40 (60% short, of course).

Dave Pelz, the noted short game instructor (guru to many tour players), states that 43% of golf shots are struck in the putting mode while 13% are struck in the chipping mode. That’s 56% before we get to the pitching mode, lobbying, or sand play!

Any questions? Please, please structure your practice time, seek the help of a competent PGA Professional and up and down your way to better scoring!!!!
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