The Masters is the one golf event where I park myself in front of the television and watch the broadcast for five hours on Sunday afternoon. I started my professional career in Augusta as an assistant pro at West Lake Country Club. I have been fortunate to play Augusta National Golf Club on a couple…
The Masters is the one golf event where I park myself in front of the television and watch the broadcast for five hours on Sunday afternoon. I started my professional career in Augusta as an assistant pro at West Lake Country Club. I have been fortunate to play Augusta National Golf Club on a couple of occasions. In 2001, while working with Franklin Langham, I played with him a couple of weeks before the Masters and then joined him at the tournament where he finished T40.
Scottie Scheffler’s win was very impressive and especially given the windy conditions earlier in the week. In his press conference after the event, he contributed his win to his excellent driving and stroke saving short game. Driving distance is a big advantage at Augusta and combine that with an impeccable short game and you are almost certain to find yourself in contention.
While previous posts focused on improving driving and approach play, the short game deserves equal attention. If you have been following my tips, you’re probably familiar with the concept of Tiger 15 – a drill I incorporate into every lesson with my students. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective exercise that can drastically improve your short game skills. There is a video on You Tube of Tiger rolling a ball out in front of him approximately 15 yards and his first shot he lands the ball on top of the ball that’s 15 yards away. Now it’s your turn to give the Tiger 15 a try!
Contrary to the full swing’s power-driven nature, the short game hinges on power control. A proficient short game can salvage a round, turning a bad day into an okay one or a good round into a great one. It’s a myth that only pros excel here – with proper technique and practice, anyone can handle a wedge just as effectively.
The pros are good at the short game and one of the reasons is that they keep it simple. Based on years of research with Dr. Ralph Mann and myself we identified three factors to consider in the short game: solid contact, desired trajectory, and optimal distance.
Once you have decided on the shot and the swing begins, the main goal of the short game shot is to strike the ball cleanly. To insure this, place the ball in the middle of the stance, align the stance slightly open to the target, shift the weight slightly forward and place the hands in front of the ball at address. Not only does this help to get the hands in front of the ball at impact, but the open stance also automatically produces a more vertical or upright swing path. To further help increase the steepness of the swing, limit any shift away from the target during the backswing. Then make a whole-body transition, moving both the lower and upper body forward during the downswing. Unlike the full swing, both the upper and lower body are ahead of the set-up position when impact occurs. Besides the differences in setup and lack of body movement off the ball, the short game has many traits of the full swing. The short game involved the total body, with both hip and shoulder turn.
In the effort to keep the short game simple and repeatable, use the same swing mechanics and learn to alter the length, clubhead speed and club selection for trajectory and distance control. For example, on a 15-yard shot grip down a couple inches and narrow the stance, your swing length (arms) will be waist high (backswing) to waist high (follow through) with a slight wrist hinge. The clubhead speed is approximately 35 MPH. Use a more lofted club to a tight pin, and as the pin location is in the middle or back of the green choose a different loft and keep the swing the same. When the shot increases to 50 yards, grip the club in the normal position and move the feet wider, the swing length (arms) will be chest high (backswing) to chest high (follow through) and a bit more wrist hinge. The clubhead speed increases to 50 MPH.
The better players succeed in their short game shots because they make it simple. First, they account for most of the variation in the shots (distance and trajectory) before the swing begins by choosing the right club and grip length. Second, they set up to the ball to produce a steep vertical swing path, with the hands in front of the ball at impact. Finally, they keep the swing mechanics the same for all shots, varying only the length and speed of the swing to control distance.
The conditions that are encountered in the short game shots vary greatly. The situation that demands the greatest change in mechanics is the type of lie. If the lie is good, then no alterations are necessary. If the lie is poor, regardless of the reason, then the shot becomes more difficult. The best solution is to increase the steepness of the clubhead path to avoid the obstacle between the ball and the club (high grass, dirt, sand, etc.). One way to accomplish this would be to alter the swing to swing the club more dramatically up and down. Since this is too complex and dangerous, the better players choose a simpler method. They simply move the ball back in the stance and make the same swing they would use for a normal shot. The ball position guarantees a steeper angle and avoids the player from having to make complex swing changes. The short game has been made complicated by so many different opinions concluding that there are an infinite number of ways execute a good short game. In fact, the short game is based on simplicity. The simplicity is in keeping the swing mechanics the same and just deciding on swing length and club loft. Simple as that!
In this month’s blog, we’re exploring the importance of becoming a great iron player. A crucial aspect of the game that separates the good from great. I will start by highlighting some of the professionals known for their exceptional iron play. Take Jack Nicklaus, for example, whose legendary precision with irons has left a memorable…
In this month’s blog, we’re exploring the importance of becoming a great iron player. A crucial aspect of the game that separates the good from great. I will start by highlighting some of the professionals known for their exceptional iron play. Take Jack Nicklaus, for example, whose legendary precision with irons has left a memorable mark on the sport. Phil Rodgers, my longtime mentor, once remarked that Nicklaus hit almost every iron shot to exactly pin high-a testament to his exceptional ball striking and distance control.
Moving to the modern era, we can’t overlook Tiger Woods, widely regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, golfers of all time. According to Mark Broadie’s “Every Shot Counts,” Woods excels in every aspect of the game, but it’s his approach play that truly sets him apart. His ability to consistently place approach shots close to the hole translates to a significant strokes gained advantage of 1.3 per round against his peers.
Similarly, Scottie Scheffler, the current world No. 1, has made an impact with his impressive iron play. Ranked first in greens in regulation (2022-2023 season) and equally impressive statistics in proximity to the hole and strokes gained, Scheffler’s performance underscores the importance of mastering the iron game.
“Broadie further emphasizes that superior performance in these approach shots requires an excellent repeatable swing in order to control the shot distance, direction, trajectory, and ball spin to stop the ball close to the hole from a range of lies in the fairway and rough.”
Now, let’s dive into a technical aspect of iron play: Spin Loft. Spin Loft refers to the difference between angle of attack (the vertical path of the clubhead at impact) and the dynamic loft (the loft the player delivers to the ball) at impact. In the illustration below, the blue arrow is the club’s angle of attack, and the red arrow is the dynamic loft. Understanding this concept is crucial because it directly affects ball compression, trajectory, and ultimately, the distance and control of your shots.
If a player delivers the club with an -8 angle of attack (hitting down on the ball) and 35 degrees of dynamic loft, the Spin Loft will be 43 degrees. Another player that delivers the same club with a -5 angle of attack (a shallower angle of attack) and 24 degrees of dynamic loft, the Spin Loft will be 29 degrees.
The image below on the left indicates an iron swing that produces a higher dynamic loft angle at impact which results in a higher Spin Loft. The hands at impact are located opposite the right leg. The image below on the right indicates an iron swing that produces a lower dynamic loft angle at impact which results in a lower Spin Loft. The hands at impact are located opposite the left leg.
So, how can you improve your Spin Loft and, by extension, your iron play? It starts with the lower body. By focusing on the dynamic movement of your lower body, particularly the shifting and turning of your hips toward the target, you can optimize your Spin Loft. This kinetic energy not only generates power but also helps position your body (shifted and turned toward the target) and club (hands in front of clubhead) for a solid impact. (See photos below from “Swing Like a Pro” book).
Additionally, pay attention to your grip position. A stronger than neutral grip position can help you better control the clubface through impact (when the hands move forward because of the lower body movement the clubface opens), ensuring that it remains square and delivers the optimal dynamic loft for your shot. This simple adjustment can make a significant difference in the consistency, accuracy, and trajectory of your iron play.
Notice the shift towards the target with the lower body. Also, the hands are positioned 5 inches ahead of their original set up position at impact. The hips have rotated open at impact. Notice the right heel is off the ground and the daylight between the legs.
In summary, mastering iron play is a combination of technical understanding and physical execution. By learning from the greats of the game, understanding concepts like spin loft, and refining your lower body movement and proper grip, you can elevate your iron game to new heights. So, embrace the challenge, and let’s work together to unlock your full potential on the course. Look forward to seeing you soon!