Free Program · 7 Steps
Master Your Short Game in 7 Steps
A free program, in this order: the basic chip, the rolled chip, the pitch, the pitch shot, followed by your wedge distances and difficult lies around the green.
About 45 minutes of video in total. Work through one step per session in the approach zone, and move on to the next one when the “validated when” box is checked.
- 1
Choosing a Place to Stay
A chip is determined by where the ball lands—about one meter onto the green—not by the force used.
6 minWhere the Chip Lands: A Lesson from the FFGolfRenaud Gris · video in FrenchValidated when: Out of 10 chips, 8 land within one meter of the chosen spot.
- 2
Hold the club shorter
Hold the grip lower: this brings you closer to the ball and makes your swing simpler and more precise.
6 minGripping Down When Chipping, by Van de VeldeJean Van de Velde · video in FrenchValidated when: Out of 10 chips, you have neither a fat shot nor a top.
- 3
Roll the ball
A rolled chip, with the ball toward your right foot and your weight on your left: the safest shot when you're near the green.
5 minBump and Run Chip Shot: Céline Boutier's LessonCéline Boutier · video in English, summarizedValidated when: The ball rolls at least two-thirds of the distance 8 times out of 10.
- 4
Delivering the Pitch with Body Language
From 20 to 65 yards, you throw the ball forward using your whole body, not up into the air with just your hands.
6 minOne-Handed Pitching: The Drill for 20 to 65 YardsPaul Lambersens · video in FrenchValidated when: At 45 yards, 6 out of 10 balls stay on the green.
- 5
Mastering the Pitch Shot
The glide technique: with an open face, the sole of the club glides under the ball, without a scrape or a top.
4 minThe Gliding Technique: A Pitch Shot Without Hitting It FatJoël Bernard · video in FrenchValidated when: Out of 10 pitch shots, 8 cleared the obstacle without touching it or going over the top.
- 6
Knowing Your Wedge Distances
The wedge pyramid ranging from 35 to 110 yards, so you can see exactly which swing produces which distance.
8 minWedge Pyramid: Raphaël Jacquelin's Pre-Shot RoutineRaphaël Jacquelin · video in FrenchValidated when: You know the distances at 30, 55 to 75 yards, to within 16 feet.
- 7
Chipping on a difficult lie
Rough, tight lie: The key is still contact, a shorter grip, the ball positioned farther back, and a neutral swing path.
6 minChipping from Tough Lies: Advice from Min Woo LeeMin Woo Lee · Video in English, summarizedValidated when: From the rough, 7 out of 10 chip shots land on the green.
Further Reading
All lessons on this topic: The Complete Guide to the Short Game →