For me, all golf starts at the back of the green - with the short game.
Source: jjwoodgolf.com
Most amateurs I met only want to go to the golf range with their buddies and hit a bunch of drivers all day long. That's not me. I like to perfect my short game first, then work backwards to the drivers and the long game.
Good chipping and putting for me is where the true shots are removed from your score card to reduce your handicap. You should be able to get up and down with the minimum of fuss. This is one of the most paramount skills in golf.
You look at a lot of the younger kids playing golf today, and all they worry about is how far they can hit the ball, but it amazes me how many of them are totally useless at chip and run shots or getting out of a bunker.
Source: golf.swingbyswing.com
Most young players seem non-aggressive to me when it comes to their short game, as they just seem to lack the nerve. This was where the great players like the Seves, the Phils and Oles worked their trade totally unafraid.
They could make shots that other people could only dream of.
I believe a lot of youngsters could learn a lot on their short game just from these great masters of golf.
Happy tee-off!
