Your Play Around the Green Can Make or Break Your Score.

It's by far the most crucial part of the game of golf. And it's known as the short game. Whether it's an approach shot, a chip shot, or a putt, if you don't have that part of you game dialed in, it's almost impossible to shoot a good score. The bad part is that the short game is the hardest part.

Approach shots are all about feel. No power is necessary. Just let the clubs do the work. One thing you should always do at the range is try hitting different shots with all your short irons. Lets say you take a full sand wedge and hit it roughly 100 to 110 yards. Start practicing taking a 75% shot. The reason for this is that you might need to hit a shot inbetween clubs. I carry a lob wedge, a sand wedge, and a pitch wedge. Lets say I have a shot roughly 85 yards. My sand wedge I can hit 110 to 120 which is too long and my lob I can hit 60 to 70 yards. In this case I would play a softer sand wedge because you have a less chance of messing up a shortend swing that a swing that you are attempting to clobber the ball. Does this make sense?

Chipping is the most feared shot of the amatuer golfer. It very well should be. The number one reason why a player doesn't hit a good chip is not trusting the shot. Often amatuers get worried on their take away and decelerate on the follow through causing the ball to go no where or in the wrong direction. In order to hit a good chip shot you need to keep a good pace through the ball just like any other shot. To achieve this you need confidence in your shot, and that my friends comes with practice.

Putting is where games are won and lost. You should never expect to be shooting pars unless you can putt. General rule of thumb, if you hit the green in regulation you have 2 putts to make par. You have to be able to 2 putt in order to start shooting good scores. Most of your practice time should be spent on the green.

In the author box I am going to put a link to one of my many books that will show you the secrets to shooting a better score. Please stop in and join my free newsletter for some great tricks and tips that are going to help you shoot a lower score.

Andrew Portela is a golfer known for his strategic mental aspect and often writes books on golf tips and golf lessons helping his fellow golfer shoot lower scores. Check out his latest book, Pro Golf Secrets, at http://www.pgsecrets.com