I have talked about chipping with my 7-iron many times in past posts. I often try to discuss what to do to make the magic happen, but may not have hit the nail on the head. That is until I found this video by Nick Faldo.
I have used this drill about hitting out to distance, but I never thought that hitting the ball backwards. It makes great sense and I will definitely be adding this drill to my list next spring. Until then, my search for great, simple and repeatable drills continues.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
My short game practice sessions are similar to what is in the video. The difference being that I rarely hit a ball from the same spot consecutively since in a game there are no do overs. I scatter balls around and work in a random order. The whole purpose is to develop the feel for distance. I work with several clubs depending on uphill, downhill, or green speed.
I focus on getting the right amount of airtime and rollout. If the greens are slower, I prefer a club with 35 degrees of loft, 40 degrees if they are faster. Once I get the feel of the speed, i am where I want to be.
Personally, I don’t find a benefit in hitting multiple shots from the same place as you never get a do over when playing. I work on getting the feel for distance and this applies to putting practice for me. For someone that doesn’t know me, my practice may appear random and unfocused. They don’t get that I am working on the feel of the shot which is what pays big dividends for me.
On Monday, which was a cool but sunny 6 Celsius (roughly 40 F), I joined up with another player as my usual buddies were not available. He was on the putting green with three balls and I was doing my usual random chipping and putting. He asked me if I was ready to play or did I need to do more putting. I said that I was ready.
On the first tee, he noticed that the clubs in my bag were older and asked me about them. He had all the modern equipment and wondered why I was choosing to play older equipment. I told him that I found that with the exception of a modern driver, there was not much difference. I don’t think he believed me.
Playing under these conditions requires making adjustments to the cold and wind. It takes a few holes to get the distances correct. My playing partner was a longer hitter but was amazed at how “lucky” I was to get up and down on three of the first five holes. As the round went on, I settled into a solid game and my “luck” continued. The result a nice 78 with solid chipping and putting.
As we had a post game drink in the clubhouse, he remarked that he was intrigued by my golf game as he lost by six strokes. I remarked that focusing on developing feel allows better adjustments to the conditions and that a good short game translates into good scores.
To bring it back to todays topic, using the ground game improves scores. Being creative makes you better and gives you more confidence.
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Lorne,
Although we have different methods, the end result is the same. I play many shots with feel and the results are quite successful. Your story about Monday’s round confirms that you never underestimate an older player with vintage clubs. 😉
Cheers Jim
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I like the idea. I often work outwards with the wedges but don’t think I’ve thought to work back in. I generally drop a ball every 10 paces or so and hit to the closest ball with all three wedges and move out from there but I usually start over when I get to the end. Maybe working back in would be helpful. It certainly won’t hurt to try.
And it seems to me working out and back in would help with dialing in speed with the putter too. Tonight I’m working on line. I have one ball 3-5 feet away and I’m hitting to that ball trying to make it move straight back as often as possible so I know I’ve hit the line dead on.
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Kevin,
Your putting (chipping) drill of trying to it the ball straight back is an interesting one. Thanks.
Cheers Jim
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It’s just laziness. Setting different aim points with a dropped ball just means I don’t need to move.
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haha, I get it!
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