Golf Tips: Choose Low Shots in Short Game

Phil Mickelson is the king of the flop.  He opens up that 64 degree wedge and swings for the fences, hitting incredible shots which land with the perfect spin.  He gets up and down from places no human being should be able to. But is that good for the average golfer to see?  Probably not.  First, most golfers don't carry a 64 degree wedge.  Second, they wouldn't be able to hit it if they did have one, and they surely wouldn't be as effective as Phil Mickelson. So what is the best short game shot in general? Let's go down the list of options in order... For most amateurs, it is best to get the ball rolling on the ground as soon as possible.  Low shots or even putts, are a much better and higher percentage shot to attempt around the green. The first choice around the green should be to putt if you can.  The margin of error putting is much lower.  Most amateurs can control a putt's accuracy and distance better than a chip. It is hard to blade a putt, hit it thin, or hit it fat. If putting won't work the next choice should be to put a putting stroke on a mid iron, like say a 7-iron.  The loft of the iron would be enough to get the ball airborne for the first 1/4 to 1/3 of the shot and get it over the fringe or a bit of rough, then roll the rest of the way like a putt. If a putting stroke on a mid iron still won't get the ball in the air long enough to clear some longer grass or terrain which is the ball needs to carry, take a more lofted club and put a bigger putting stroke on it. Beyond this distance are pitch shots and as a last resort, flops.  On these pitches and chips put the ball right in your stance and hit the ball only far enough to land it on the green or perhaps 1/4 to 1/3 of the distance to the hole, rolling the rest of the way.  The key is to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.  If you have 30 feet to the hole, and 10 feet of rough and fringe, the pitch/chip should carry just past 10 feet and roll the rest of the way. Once again,the key is to hit the ball as low as is reasonable and carry the shot just onto the green.  These shots are all easier to execute, with a higher percentage, than shots which fly all the way or most of the way to the hole. These more conservative shots may be less exciting than flying one all the way to the hole, but you'll save more strokes throughout a round and the excitement of shooting a lower score should make up the difference. If none of the shots above are reasonable, if you have no green to work with and have to stick it right where it lands, then it is time to open up that lob wedge and hit the flop.  Put the ball farther forward in your stance and put a steep back swing and follow through on the shot.  Keep the upper body still and finish high. ...and make sure you've paid your tithing to the golf gods.