Short Game Playbook — The Scratch Project

SG: Around-Green

SG: Around-Green is the biggest improvement opportunity for a 10 handicap — and the most underestimated. Up-and-down rate improvement is the fastest route to lower scores.

📊 The Data

The Gap — 10 HCP vs Tour

Where the Strokes Are Lost

Metric	PGA Tour	10 HCP	Your Target
SG: Around-Green	0.0 baseline	−2.0 to −3.0	>−1.5
Up-and-down rate	59%	22–30%	35%+
Proximity (20 yd chip)	6–8 ft	14–20 ft	<10 ft
Proximity (75 yd pitch)	11 ft	32 ft	<18 ft
Bunker save rate	49%	14–18%	30%+

⭐

Key insight: Track proximity to hole after every short game shot. This is your personal SG score. Moving average proximity from 18 ft to 12 ft is worth +1.5 SG: Around-Green per round.

Shot Hierarchy — Use This Every Round

Selection Priority Order

1
Putt (whenever viable): The most reliable shot. Use even from the fringe up to 15–20 feet off the green if the lie allows.
2
Bump-and-run: Low, rolling chip with a mid-iron. High percentage, low skill requirement. Use when no obstacle between ball and flag.
3
Standard chip/pitch: Short, controlled swing with wedge. Use when more elevation or spin is needed.
4
Lob shot (last resort only): 25–35% catastrophic error rate at amateur level. Only use when no other option exists.

Chipping

Tour-level chipping is built on precise landing zone targeting and correct attack angle. The technique enables the strategy — both must work together.

⛳ Technique & Data

Attack Angle & Landing Zone

The Two Variables That Control Everything

Optimal chip attack angle is −2° to −4° (slightly descending). Tour proximity standard: land within a 3-foot circle of your target landing spot. 10 HCP typical: 8–12 foot circle. The landing spot — not the hole — is your actual target.

Club	Carry/Roll Ratio	Use Case
6-iron	1:4	Long, flat green, plenty of room
8-iron	1:3	Medium distance, slight slope
PW (46°)	1:2	Standard chip, moderate green
GW (50°)	1:1.5	More height, less run
SW (54°)	1:1	Needs to stop quickly
LW (58°)	2:1	Very tight pin, soft landing needed

Tight Lie Mastery

The Hardest Chip Shot

1
Ball position back: Middle to slightly back of centre. Shaft leans forward toward target. Hands lead the clubhead through impact.
2
Keep weight forward (60% lead foot): Prevents the fat shot that destroys tight lie chips. Weight stays forward throughout the swing.
3
Firm left wrist through impact: No scooping. The lead wrist maintains extension — the club's leading edge must stay below the equator of the ball on tight lies.
4
Bounce the club: Use the club's bounce angle (not the leading edge) against the turf. Attacking with the leading edge on tight lies creates the dreaded thin shot.

💡

Practice standard: Replace wedges every 70–100 rounds. Groove wear reduces spin 30–40%, significantly affecting your ability to control trajectory and distance from around the green.

Pitching

The wedge matrix — 4 clubs × 4 swing lengths = 16 distances — is the most important distance control framework in scoring-zone play.

🏌️ The Wedge Matrix

Your 16-Distance Scoring System

4 Wedges × 4 Clock Positions

Swing	PW (46°)	GW (50°)	SW (54°)	LW (58°)
Full	~110 yds	~100 yds	~88 yds	~75 yds
¾ (9 o'clock)	~90 yds	~80 yds	~70 yds	~60 yds
½ (8 o'clock)	~70 yds	~62 yds	~55 yds	~47 yds
¼ (7 o'clock)	~50 yds	~45 yds	~38 yds	~32 yds

These are approximate distances. Calibrate your personal numbers with on-course tracking. Recalibrate quarterly.

Spin Control Science

Spin Rates by Shot Type

Shot Type	Spin Rate	Landing Behaviour
High lob (LW, open face)	8,000–11,000 rpm	Checks quickly, minimal roll
Standard pitch (SW)	6,000–8,000 rpm	Lands and checks
Mid pitch (GW)	4,000–6,000 rpm	One bounce and roll
Bump-and-run (PW)	2,500–4,000 rpm	Rolls out significantly

Proximity Data by Distance

Where You Should Be Landing

Distance	Tour Avg	10 HCP	Target
30 yards	5 ft	12 ft	<8 ft
50 yards	8 ft	18 ft	<12 ft
75 yards	11 ft	28 ft	<16 ft
100 yards	15 ft	38 ft	<22 ft

The Lob Shot

The lob shot has a 25–35% catastrophic error rate at amateur level. Use it only when no other option exists. When you must play it, master the Mickelson method.

⚠️ High Risk — Use Sparingly

Mickelson Hinge-and-Hold Technique

The Tour Method for Maximum Loft

1
Open clubface first, then grip: Lay the face open so it points skyward, then wrap your hands around. This preserves loft through impact — gripping first then opening causes the face to close at impact.
2
Wide open stance (30°): Align feet, hips, and shoulders left of target. This creates the out-to-in swing path that produces height with maximum loft.
3
Hinge wrists aggressively on backswing: Create a steep, hinged backswing — the "L" shape in the trail arm. This stores the energy for the explosive downswing.
4
Hold the face open through impact: The key: do NOT rotate the forearms through impact as you would a normal shot. The face must stay pointing skyward as long as possible — this is what creates the height and spin.
5
Accelerate fully: Deceleration is the most common lob shot error. The ball will go nowhere if you slow down. Commit and accelerate through the sand or turf.

Effective Loft Formula

How Much Loft Are You Creating?

Effective Loft Formula

Effective Loft = Club Loft + (Face Opening Angle)

LW (58°) opened 10° = 68° effective loft
LW (58°) opened 20° = 78° effective loft (near-vertical)

Every 5° of face opening reduces carry distance by approximately 20–30%. Calculate this into your distance control.

Bounce Selection by Condition

Match Bounce to Ground Conditions

Ground Condition	Bounce Needed	Why
Soft, fluffy lies	High (12–14°)	Prevents digging, uses sole to slide
Normal conditions	Medium (8–12°)	Versatile for most shots
Tight, firm lies	Low (4–8°)	Lets leading edge get under ball
Hard pan / bare	Very low (4°)	Leading edge must contact first

⚠️

The 90% Rule: Do not attempt the lob shot unless you are 90% confident in the outcome. When in doubt, use a chip, bump-and-run, or even a putt from off the green. A bad lob shot (chunk or thin) is far more costly than a conservative chip leaving 15 feet.

Bunker Play

The bunker shot is unique: you never hit the ball. You hit the sand behind the ball, using the sand to propel the ball out. Understanding this physics changes everything.

🌊 Sand Mechanics

6-Step Setup Protocol

Build the Platform for Success

1
Open clubface before gripping: Aim face at the target, then open it 20–30°. Gripping first then opening closes the face at impact.
2
Open stance significantly (30–40°): Align feet left of target. This automatically creates an out-to-in swing path that allows the clubface to slide under the ball.
3
Dig feet into sand: Creates a stable base and lowers your effective swing arc — which increases the likelihood of entering the sand at the right depth.
4
Ball position forward (left heel): Allows the bounce to enter the sand before the leading edge — preventing the club from digging.
5
Weight slightly forward (55–60%): Discourages the "scooping" motion that causes chunked bunker shots.
6
Pick your entry point: Focus on a spot in the sand 2 inches behind the ball — this is your actual target, not the ball itself.

Two-Variable Distance System

Control Distance with Entry Point + Swing Length

Distance	Entry Point (behind ball)	Swing Length
Short (10–20 yds)	3" behind ball	¾ swing
Medium (20–30 yds)	2" behind ball	Full swing
Long (30–40 yds)	1" behind ball	Full, aggressive

More sand (further entry point) = shorter distance. Less sand (closer entry point) = more distance. Vary entry point first; adjust swing length secondarily.

Difficult Lies

Non-Standard Bunker Situations

Lie Type	Adjustment	Ball Flight
Plugged (buried)	Square face, steep attack, less bounce	Low, runs out — allow for it
Uphill lie	Weight on lead foot, align hips with slope	High, soft — club stops quickly
Downhill lie	Weight back foot, lean club shaft forward	Low, runs — land short of flag
Wet/firm sand	Less loft, pick it cleaner, less bounce	More control, less sand needed
Long bunker shot	Less open face, pick closer to ball	Lower, more distance

💡

The cardinal rule: Never decelerate into the sand. A full, committed follow-through is non-negotiable. Most bunker disasters come from slowing down into impact. The club must splash through the sand — not stop in it.

Spin & Trajectory

Understanding spin rates and trajectory control unlocks your ability to play to any pin from any lie. The 6-trajectory system covers every shot you'll encounter.

🎯 Spin Science

Spin Rate by Shot Type

What Spin Numbers Mean

Spin Rate	Shot Type	Stopping Power
9,000–11,000 rpm	High lob, full LW	Checks hard, may spin back
6,500–9,000 rpm	Standard wedge	Checks, small rollout
4,000–6,500 rpm	Mid-pitch, GW	One hop and roll
2,500–4,000 rpm	Bump-and-run	Rolls like a putt

5 Factors That Maximise Spin

How to Generate More Check

1
Clean grooves: Replace wedges every 70–100 rounds. Worn grooves can reduce spin 30–40%.
2
Dry ball and face: Water between ball and face dramatically reduces spin. Towel off in wet conditions.
3
Steep attack angle: More descending blow = more spin. Ball position back, shaft forward.
4
Urethane ball cover: Urethane cover generates significantly more friction than Surlyn. At 85+ mph swing speed, use a urethane-covered ball.
5
Clean lie: Grass between club and ball (flier lie) reduces spin dramatically — plan for more rollout when playing from rough.

6-Trajectory System

One Shot for Every Situation

Trajectory	Club	Setup Key	Use When
Low check	PW/GW	Ball back, shaft forward	Into wind, firm green
Standard	SW	Normal setup	Most situations
High soft	LW	Open face, open stance	Tight pin, upslope
Running	7/8-iron	Chip setup, ball back	Long fringe, firm ground
Wind-cheater	GW	Choke down, ball back	Strong headwind
Flop	LW (max open)	Fully open face + stance	Last resort only

Advanced Wedge Spin

Elite wedge play operates on a fundamentally different logic to standard instruction. Tour players calculate landing zones and spin independently — they never simply "aim at the flag." This section covers the four variables that govern spin, how to produce it in every condition, and the landing zone targeting system used on tour.

🎯 Landing Zone Targeting — The Tour Method

Why Tour Players Never Aim at the Flag

The Two-Calculation System

A PGA Tour player arriving at a 60-yard wedge shot makes two separate calculations before committing to a club and trajectory: (1) where do I want the ball to land, and (2) how far will it spin back or roll forward from that landing point. The flag is the output — not the input.

Variable	Tour Process	10 HCP Process	SG Cost of Difference
Target selection	Specific landing zone, calculated spin	Aim at the flag	−0.4 to −0.8 SG/round
Spin awareness	Know exact spin rate for each setup	Hope for the best	Inconsistent proximity
Condition adjustment	Wet = less spin, change landing zone	Same shot always	Green misses in wet conditions
Landing zone precision	Aim for 3-foot landing circle	Aim for the green	−1.0 to −1.5 SG/round

💡

Practical application: From 60 yards with a full lob wedge generating 9,500 rpm, the ball will land and spin back 4–6 feet. Land it 5 feet past the flag. From the same distance with a partial gap wedge generating 6,000 rpm, the ball will land and roll forward 3–4 feet. Land it 4 feet short of the flag. Same distance, same flag — completely different landing zones.

⚙️ The Four Spin Variables — In Combination

Variable 1 — Groove Condition

The Most Underestimated Spin Factor

Groove Condition	Spin Rate (SW, 80 yds)	Landing Behaviour	Action
New / sharp grooves	9,000–11,000 rpm	Checks hard, may spin back	Account for spinback in landing zone
Moderate wear (50–70 rds)	7,000–8,500 rpm	One hop and stop	Standard landing zone calculation
Heavy wear (100+ rds)	4,500–6,000 rpm	Runs out significantly	Land shorter — more roll expected

Groove test: Drag your thumbnail across the grooves. Sharp = defined resistance. Worn = smooth, no resistance. Replace wedges every 70 rounds of competitive play — groove wear is the single largest undetected spin loss in the amateur game.

Variable 2 — Ball Cover Interaction

Urethane vs. Surlyn — The Friction Difference

Ball Cover	Spin Potential	Groove Interaction	Right Player
Urethane (multi-layer)	High — 9,000–11,000 rpm possible	Maximum groove bite	85+ mph swing speed, scratch pursuit
Surlyn (2-piece)	Low — 4,000–6,500 rpm maximum	Minimal groove engagement	Below 85 mph, distance priority

At 105 mph driver speed (your session data), a urethane-covered ball will produce significantly more greenside spin. The combination of sharp grooves + urethane cover + correct technique can produce 2,000–3,000 rpm more than the same swing with a 2-piece Surlyn ball.

Variable 3 — Attack Angle and Presentation

How Steep Descent Produces Spin

Spin is generated by the friction between the grooves and the ball cover at the moment of contact. A steeper attack angle produces a longer "dwell time" of the groove on the cover — generating more friction and higher spin rates.

1
The "zip" technique for maximum spin: Position the ball one inch behind centre, hands 3–4 inches ahead, weight 65% on lead foot. Make an accelerating, descending strike — do not decelerate into the ball. Tour players generate MORE speed through impact on short wedge shots than the average amateur realises. Deceleration is the primary cause of low spin from close range.
2
Steep attack angle targets: For maximum spin, attack angle should be −7° to −10° for a full wedge. This is steeper than most amateurs achieve. Use Mevo attack angle data on wedge shots — anything shallower than −4° produces significantly less spin.
3
Clubhead speed at impact — do not decelerate: A half-swing wedge should not mean a decelerated clubhead. Tour players accelerate through the entire hitting zone even on 40-yard shots. Deceleration adds dynamic loft (flipping the wrists) and kills spin simultaneously — the worst possible combination.

Attack Angle vs. Spin Rate (SW, 80 mph club speed)

−3° attack angle: ~6,500 rpm (one hop and roll)
−5° attack angle: ~8,000 rpm (one hop and stop)
−7° attack angle: ~9,500 rpm (check, potential spinback)
−10° attack angle: ~11,000 rpm (spinback on firm greens)

Variable 4 — Conditions Adjustment

Wet Conditions, Rough Lies, and Spin Management

Condition	Spin Impact	Adjustment Required	Landing Zone Change
Wet face / wet ball	−30 to −40% spin	Towel dry between every shot	Land 6–10 feet shorter of flag
Light rough (clean lie)	−10 to −20% spin	Steeper attack, ball back	Land 3–5 feet shorter
Heavy rough (flier)	−40 to −60% spin	Accept the run — land well short	Land well short, plan for 15+ ft rollout
Hard/fast greens	Spin back amplified	Land further past flag (spin brings it back)	Land 8–12 feet past flag
Soft greens	Ball pitches and stops	Standard or land slightly short	Land at flag or 2–3 ft short

💡

Wet conditions protocol: In wet conditions, carry an extra towel. Dry the club face AND the ball before every wedge shot. This single habit recovers 20–25% of the spin lost to moisture. Tour caddies dry the ball before every shot in wet conditions — non-negotiable at tour level.

⚡ Bounce Utilisation

Bounce — Leading Edge vs. Sole

Using the Right Part of the Club for the Lie

Bounce is the angle between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sole. High bounce prevents the leading edge from digging; low bounce suits tight lies where the leading edge needs to slide under the ball. Most amateurs use the wrong wedge bounce for the conditions — producing either digging (high bounce on tight lie) or skulling (low bounce in soft conditions).

Condition	Bounce Required	Technique Cue	Shot Result
Fluffy rough, soft sand	High (12–16°)	Open face, shallow entry — bounce enters first	Slides through, ball pops up
Tight fairway, firm sand	Low (4–8°)	Square face, steeper entry — leading edge enters first	Clean contact on firm surface
Normal grass	Mid (8–12°)	Standard setup — either bounce works	Standard spin and trajectory

1
Open face = more bounce: When you open the face of any wedge at address, you increase the effective bounce. This is why the open-face bunker shot works — you are presenting the bounce into the sand, not the leading edge. The same principle applies from fluffy rough.
2
Square or closed face = less bounce / more leading edge: On tight, firm lies, a square or slightly forward-leaning shaft exposes the leading edge and reduces bounce. This is the correct technique for a clean chip from hardpan or compacted fairway.
3
Match your wedge set to your course conditions: If you regularly play on firm, well-maintained courses, low-bounce wedges (4–8°) suit your conditions. If you play on soft, lush courses or frequently in wet conditions, higher bounce (10–14°) prevents digging. Equipment fitting for wedges should always include bounce selection for local conditions.

📊 Landing Zone Calculation System

Building Your Personal Spin Map

Practice Protocol — Know Your Numbers

Using your Mevo, spend one 45-minute session mapping your personal spin rates for each wedge at each swing length. This becomes your landing zone reference — more valuable than any generic distance matrix.

1
Session setup: Hit 6 shots per club per swing length (full, 3/4, 1/2) to a target on a firm, receptive surface. Record Mevo spin rate and carry distance for each cluster. Eliminate outliers and average the remaining 4.
2
Calculate landing-to-flag adjustment: For each spin rate bracket, note the ball's behaviour from 3 shots on the practice green. High spin (9,000+ rpm) → ball typically stops within 1–2 feet or spins back. Mid spin (6,000–8,000 rpm) → one hop, rolls 2–4 feet. Low spin (4,000–5,500 rpm) → runs 5–10 feet.
3
Build a cheat-sheet for the yardage book: Record the landing zone offset for each combination. Example: "SW full = land 4 ft past flag. SW 3/4 = land 2 ft short. GW full = land on flag. GW 3/4 = land 3 ft short."
4
Recalibrate after groove replacement: New grooves change your spin map by 1,000–2,000 rpm across all wedges. Spend 30 minutes recalibrating after any wedge replacement before your next competition.

⭐

The elite differentiator: At tour level, every wedge shot from inside 100 yards has a pre-calculated landing zone based on spin rate, green firmness, and slope. Proximity from 50–100 yards separates scratch from 5 HCP more than any other single metric. Building a personal spin map and landing zone system — even a rough version — immediately improves this category.

Shot Selection

SG-based shot selection is the single highest-leverage improvement for most 10 handicappers. Most scoring zone errors are decision errors, not execution errors.

🧠 Decision Framework

4 Pin Categories

How to Classify Every Pin

Pin Category	Definition	Strategy
Open pin	Generous bail-out on all sides	Attack — go for proximity
Neutral pin	One side easy, one guarded	Aim for safe side, take par
Tucked pin	Tight, one clear danger	Land safely, accept 2-putt
Sucker pin	Designed to punish aggression	Aim fat part of green, two-putt is par

Lie Assessment Protocol

Check Before You Select

1
Lie quality: Clean/tight/fluffy/buried/rough/hardpan. Each changes which shots are possible.
2
Stance slope: Uphill/downhill/sidehill. Affects trajectory and landing angle — must be factored into club and target selection.
3
Green to work with: How much green do you have between your landing spot and the flag? Minimum 6 feet of green surface for a controlled chip to work.
4
Risk/reward: What is the cost of a bad shot here? Is there a hazard, slope, or green complex that penalises a miss severely? Scale aggression accordingly.

"The player who knows when NOT to play the hero shot will always outscore the player who tries them regardless of outcome."

— SG: Around-Green Research, PGA Tour

Scrambling & Recovery Shots

Scrambling — getting up and down when you have missed the green — is the skill that most separates a 5-handicapper from a scratch player. Scratch golfers miss roughly as many greens as 5-HCP players, but they scramble at 55–65% compared to the 5-HCP's 35–45%. This 20% scrambling gap is worth 3–4 strokes per round and is almost entirely a skill gap, not a talent gap.

🔥 The Scratch Separator

The Scrambling Priority Hierarchy

Always Ask This Question First

Before selecting any recovery shot, answer one question: What position do I need to be in for the next shot? Not "how do I get closest to the hole" — "what is the best position for what comes next?" This shift in thinking eliminates most poor recovery decisions.

Position After Miss	First Priority	Shot Type
Light rough, open shot	Get close — attack	Standard chip or pitch — go at it
Thick rough, open shot	Get on the green — any part	High-loft pitch, accept longer putt
Against a bank / slope	Get a clean strike — not distance	Simplest possible shot shape
Trees / obstruction	Get into the fairway first	Punch out — no heroics
Buried lie	Get out — accept result	Open face, steep descent, take your medicine

Lie-Specific Recovery Technique

Tight Against a Bush or Obstacle

When a Normal Swing Is Impossible

1
The one-handed punch: When the obstacle prevents a backswing on the trail side, grip down to the middle of the shaft, use only the lead hand, and make a short jabbing punch motion with the face square. The ball will travel 20–40 yards with roll. This is a genuine emergency shot that should be practised — it is far more reliable than attempting to manufacture a half-swing that clips the obstacle.
2
The left-handed chip (right-handed player): Turn a mid-iron upside down, grip with the lead hand at the bottom of the grip, and make a putting-style stroke with the toe of the club. Produces 10–25 yards of controlled distance. Worth spending 20 minutes practising at least once — if you have never hit this shot in practice, you will not execute it under pressure.
3
Putt from the rough: If the grass between ball and green is thin enough, a firm putt is often the most reliable shot to get the ball moving toward the hole. Underused by most amateurs who feel they "should" chip. The putt makes no contact with the rough face — it trundled through. Check the Rules (no penalty for using a putter off the green from anywhere).

Under Tree Branches — The Stinger

The Low Punch-and-Run Recovery

1
Club selection: 4–7 iron depending on required distance. The lower the branch, the lower the iron number. A 4-iron from under a 6-foot branch is safer than a 7-iron that might clip it.
2
Setup adjustments: Ball back of centre (promotes low launch). Hands forward (de-lofts the club further). Weight 60% forward. Narrow stance. Grip down 2–3cm for control.
3
The swing: Three-quarter backswing maximum. Abbreviated follow-through — hands finish at hip height, shaft pointing at the target. The abbreviated finish is the key — it keeps the clubface from releasing and launching the ball high. Expect 70–80% of normal distance with significant run.
4
The calculation: Before playing the shot: how high is the lowest branch? How far to the branch? Does the ball need to climb at all, or is it a dead-flat exit? Account for the slope of the ground — a downslope exit keeps the ball lower; an upslope exit risks clipping the branch.

Hardpan and Bare Lies

The Most Underrated Skill in UK Golf

UK golf in summer produces significant hardpan through traffic patterns, path edges, and baked-out areas around greens. The standard chip technique — a descending blow — digs the leading edge into hard ground and produces a skull or chunk. The technique must change.

1
Use the bounce, not the edge: On hardpan, the bounce (the curved sole of the wedge) is your friend. Lower the handle slightly, open the face marginally, and allow the bounce to skid along the hard surface rather than digging in. This is a shallow, sweeping contact — the opposite of the steep wedge technique for normal lies.
2
Putt from hardpan whenever possible: If the lie is truly bare and the path to the green is clear, a putter is almost always more reliable than a wedge. The ball may bounce slightly at first but will stabilise quickly on the green. Ego avoidance of the putter from off the green is a genuine stroke-costing habit.
3
The 8-iron chip as default: From bare lies within 20 yards of the green, an 8-iron chip (ball back, hands forward, small stroke) is significantly more forgiving than a wedge. Less loft means less margin for error in contact angle. The ball rolls out more — plan for it.

Deep Rough Recovery

Getting Out First, Getting Close Second

1
The grass-type assessment: Thin, wiry rough (links fescue) allows more ball contact than thick, grabby rough (parkland ryegrass). In thick rough, the hosel of the club will rotate the face closed through impact — closing what you thought was an open face. Account for this by opening the face more than you think you need to before the rough grabs it.
2
The buried flop: When the ball is buried with the green close, open the face maximally, play the ball forward, and make an aggressive outside-in swing. The idea is to slide the open face under the ball rather than through the grass. Accept that this shot has high variability — the sole purpose is to get the ball out and on the green. Where on the green is a bonus.
3
The flyer lie identification: A ball sitting up in fluffy rough with a clean look between the face and the ball will fly further and with less spin than a fairway shot of the same distance. Before playing, push the ball slightly with your foot (permitted under the Rules — identifying the lie) to assess whether it is sitting on top of the grass or nestled in it. The shot selection changes completely depending on the answer.

Upslope and Downslope Lies

Slope Adjustments That Save Strokes

Lie Type	Ball Flight Effect	Club Adjustment	Technique Adjustment
Upslope	Higher launch, shorter distance, more spin	1–2 clubs more	Tilt into the slope — left shoulder up. Follow the slope with the clubhead.
Downslope	Lower launch, more distance, less spin	1–2 clubs less (more loft)	Tilt into slope — right shoulder up. Steeper swing. Expect the ball to run.
Ball above feet	Natural draw — ball goes left	Aim right of target	Grip down on the club. Stand more upright. Swing more around body.
Ball below feet	Natural fade — ball goes right	Aim left of target	Flex knees more. Bend from hips. Keep weight centred through impact.

⭐

The scrambling practice prescription: One 30-minute session per week dedicated entirely to recovery shots — from bare lies, slopes, buried rough, and awkward stances. This single practice habit, maintained for 6 months, will improve your scrambling percentage by 15–20 percentage points and save approximately 2 strokes per round. It is the highest-return short game practice not already in your programme.

Practice Drills

Every drill is tracked and scored. Proximity to hole is your primary metric — not whether the ball goes in.

⛳ Chipping Drills

🎯

3-Foot Circle Landing Accuracy

15 MIN · PRECISION · ALL WEDGES · ESSENTIAL

Place a towel or target on the green as your landing zone. Hit 20 chips aiming to land on the towel. Score 1 point per towel contact. Tour standard: 14+/20. 10 HCP target: 8/20 to start, building to 13+. This drill reveals your true landing zone consistency — often much wider than you believe.

🔄

Shot Variety Drill — Same Hole, 5 Lies

15 MIN · ADAPTABILITY · FULL ROUTINE

Use the same hole. Hit one chip from each: tight lie, fluffy lie, uphill, downhill, rough. Apply full routine to each. Builds the adaptability and rapid decision-making required on the course, where no two lies are ever identical.

🏌️ Pitching & Wedge Drills

📊

Wedge Matrix Calibration

30 MIN · DISTANCE CONTROL · ALL 4 WEDGES

Hit 5 balls with each of your 16 wedge combinations (4 clubs × 4 clock positions). Record actual carry distance for each. Build your personal matrix — your real numbers, not the approximate table. Update quarterly. This is the most important wedge practice you can do.

🎯

Proximity Scoring — Track Everything

20 MIN · BENCHMARK · VARIED DISTANCES

From 10 different positions around the green, chip or pitch to the flag and pace off the result. Average your proximity. This is your personal SG: Around-Green score. Tour pros average under 8 feet from standard lies. Track weekly. Any downward trend is measurable improvement.

🌊 Bunker Drills

🏖️

Bunker Entry Point Precision

15 MIN · ENTRY POINT · BUNKER · FUNDAMENTAL

Draw a line in the sand 2 inches behind a ball. Practice bunker shots attempting to enter the sand exactly on the line — not before it, not after it. Consistent, precise entry point is the single most controllable variable in bunker play. Tour pros have entry point variance of under 0.5 inches. Track yours.

📏

Bunker Distance Ladder

20 MIN · DISTANCE CONTROL · BUNKER

Set up targets at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards from the bunker. Hit 3 balls to each target by adjusting entry point and swing length only — face stays consistently open. Record how many stop within 6 feet of each target. Builds the distance control that most amateur bunker play entirely lacks.

🏆 Competitive Games

🎮

Up-and-Down Challenge

20 MIN · COMPETITIVE · FULL ROUTINE · PRESSURE

Drop 10 balls in random positions around a green. Attempt up-and-down on each — chip/pitch then putt. Track success rate. Tour average: 59%. 10 HCP target: 25%+ to start, building toward 40%. Apply full short game routine to every shot. This is the closest simulation of course conditions available.

Structured Practice Plans

Three frameworks — maintenance, intensive, and elite weekly structure.

📋 Frameworks

Plan 1 — Maintenance (2× per week, 45 min)

Keeping the Skill Sharp

A
0–15 min — Landing spot accuracy: 3-Foot Circle Drill, 20 chips. Track landing spot precision.
B
15–30 min — Wedge matrix: 2 clubs × 2 swing lengths = 4 combinations, 5 balls each. Record actual carry distances.
C
30–45 min — Up-and-down game: 10 balls in varied positions. Track U&D success rate.

Plan 2 — Intensive (4× per week, 60 min)

Active Improvement

A
0–15 min — Bunker: Entry point precision drill (5 balls) → distance ladder (3 distances, 5 balls each).
B
15–30 min — Chipping: 3-Foot Circle Drill (20 balls), then shot variety drill (5 lies).
C
30–45 min — Pitching: Wedge matrix calibration — full 4 clubs × 4 positions.
D
45–60 min — Pressure: Up-and-Down Challenge with full routine. Proximity Scoring (10 positions). Track both.

Plan 3 — Tour Player Weekly

Elite 5-Day Framework

Day	Focus	Key Drill
Monday	Bunker mastery	Entry point + distance ladder
Tuesday	Chipping precision	3-foot circle, variety drill
Wednesday	Wedge calibration	Full matrix (all 16 combos)
Thursday	Pressure competition	Up-and-down game, Callaway challenge
Friday	Pre-round prep	Feel shots only, no mechanics

⭐

Critical rule: Track proximity to hole after every short game shot in practice. A 2-foot reduction in average proximity is worth +0.5 SG: Around-Green per round. Without tracking, you're guessing.

Pre-Round Protocol

The short game warmup calibrates your feel for today's conditions — turf speed, sand texture, spin response — not technique.

⏱ Pre-Round Sequence

Step 1 — Bunker First

Feel the Sand

1
3–4 bunker shots from a flat lie. Feel how much the club is bouncing — wet, compact sand vs. dry, fluffy sand requires very different entry depths.
2
Make a mental note: "Today's sand is [soft/firm] — I need [more/less] force and [more/less] entry depth."

Step 2 — Chips & Pitches

Calibrate Turf and Spin

1
5 standard chips with your most-used club. Feel how the turf is playing — soft or firm? How much is the ball checking vs. releasing?
2
3 pitches from 40–50 yards. Note the spin response: more or less than usual? Damp conditions reduce spin; dry conditions increase it.
3
Adjust your landing zone targets for the round based on what you observe — land further from the flag on firm/fast greens; closer on soft greens.

Step 3 — Mental Switch

Transition to Play Mode

End the warmup with 3 shots that feel good using your full routine. Walk to the first tee trusting your feel calibration. Never think about mechanics on the course — only landing spots, trajectories, and outcomes.