Practice your “up and down” shots for lower scores

On the range you will notice that most golfers are practicing their full swings. If you want to score better, you need to practice the shots you use the most.

For all levels of golfers, full shots from the driver through the wedge are used in only 37% of the total number of shots! The half shots; chipping, pitching, sand, and putting comprise the other 63% of your score.

If you want to score lower, put your time and energy into practicing and gaining confidence around the greens in these less than full shots. Practice half and partial wedge pitch shots into the green as a scoring tool, not just as a recovery shot. This is why the professionals carry as many as four wedges in their bags.

Your goal is to get the ball on the green close enough for two putts, or less.

1. Practice until the wedge feels as comfortable as shaking hands with an old friend.

2. Practice until you feel that you can get the ball close to the hole.

3. Practice until you know the exact distance you hit your wedges on full and partial shots.

The average golfer can reduce his/her score by 3 to 12 shots per round by practicing the pitch shot and the chip shot. The pitch shot is executed with a pitching wedge or sand wedge and is less than a full shot. The chip shot is executed with any club with the same stroke as a putter. The club used lands the ball on the green near the edge and lets it run to the hole. The axiom for chipping off the green is “less air time, more ground time.”

Your mental goal is to believe you can get the ball “up and down” from any place around the green.

1. Repeat an affirmation that you love to hit these scoring shots.

2. As you practice, emotionally affirm your successful shots.

3. Release judgment of unsuccessful practice shots by learning from them.

For more information on how to play at your peak performance levels call Joan at 828-696-2547 for a complimentary 15-minute consultation. Feel free to email this mental golf blog to any of your friends who might like to know about it. They can then subscribe by simply clicking here.