The First Tee with Ryan

As a college golfer at the University of Nevada, I’ve learned that short game is vital to scoring. You can stripe it all day on the course, but if you can’t get up and down under pressure, you’re losing a significant amount of shots out there. The short game is where tournaments are won, momentum shifts, and confidence is built.

For me, short game starts with confidence. If I miss a green, my mindset isn’t damage control. I look at it as an opportunity to build momentum. I expect to get up and down the majority of the time. Having that expectation convinces me that I will save par and not to worry. Confidence around the green doesn’t come from talent, but a lot of reps. Practicing every kind of shot you can imagine. Tight lies, thick rough, or short sided spots. Practicing easy and uncomfortable shots helps give me confidence out on the course. It helps me know how my ball will react coming out of any lie. Moreover, it teaches me how it will react on the green.

One thing I’ve learned is that technique matters less than creativity and commitment. Around the green, indecision is very punishing. I must commit to the shot I choose, whether it’s a bump and run or a high flop shot. Getting stuck in my decision making leads to hitting uncommitted shots, which almost always results in a bogey or double chipping.

My favorite drill is to build a 9 hole chipping course. I have to shoot 2 over par or better, and every hole is a par 2. I need to get up and down 7 out of 9 times to finish. In competitive golf, there is no redo. This is why I like simulating a round and not just hitting 100 chips from the same spot. My blog on Building a Competitive Mindset goes more into depth on this.

My biggest advice to recreational/amateur golfers is to spend as much time on the chipping and putting green. It will significantly lower your scores compared to spending that time on the driving range. I think that everyone can benefit from more short game practice. It is important to come up with fun games or drills or it can get boring.

Short game isn’t flashy, but it travels. When everything feels off, it’s the one part of my game that I can always lean on.

Thank you for reading! Be sure to follow me on Instagram, @ryansear4. Also, check out one of my other blog posts on Course Management.