Practice makes perfect

Correctly controlling the distance of your short game shots goes a long way towards ensuring you get more ‘ups and downs’ in your

Naturally, your ability to judge the length of swing required for a given greenside shot will improve throughout your golfing career. However, it is very important to ensure that your ball striking is as consistent as it can be, as this also affects the distance that the ball goes.

Scientifically, the two requirements for a correctly struck chip shot are descending pressure and acceleration. In order to encourage this, it is important to position the ball in the centre of your stance and favour the front foot with weight distribution. From there, your shoulders should rock the club back and forth, and you should be aiming to thump down into the bottom of the ball and brush the grass with a smooth, accelerated stroke.

When we see a ball on the floor, our instincts encourage us to lean back, flick our hands and try to help the ball into the air. This doesn’t work! If you do this, you are likely to either ‘thin’ the ball and send it scuttling across the floor or hit it ‘fat’ and leave it short of the green. If you can closely relate to these shots around the green, try the following drill the next time you are around the practice green.

Place an alignment stick or old club shaft on the floor perpendicular to your ball to target line. Place a ball on the fairway approximately three inches in front of the stick so that it is closer to the hole. The aim of the drill is to try and strike the ball without hitting the alignment stick. The only way to complete the task successfully is to keep your weight on your front foot and ensure that your club hits the ball with a descending angle of attack.

If you practice this, your ball striking will improve because you now are applying the correct angle.

If you watch the ball, you will see it react more consistently when it hits the green, which will allow you to play more accurate shots. If you find that the drill is becoming too easy, put the ball a little closer to the alignment stick which will help you to become even more precise!