Understanding The Value Of Your Short Game

Golfers, in general, tend to have an unrealistic appraisal of their abilities and expectations. We expect to play our very best every time we step onto a golf course. If someone has broken 80 only once in his/her life, he/she still expects to break 80 on every subsequent round.

But whatever your reality, what is the best way to lower your scores?

One thing that is stressed at Keiser University College of Golf is that your ability to score is directly proportionate to your skills from 100 yards in to the hole.

The best players in the world know this, and that is why they spend so much of their practice time in this area. That is also why Tiger Woods can hit only three greens in a round and still break par.

To help students measure their ability to score from 100 yards in to the hole, I ask them to play the “up,” or forward tees, and record their scores.

To their dismay, students rarely score significantly better than what they normally shoot from their regular tees.

I also ask students to play an executive or par-3 course, and their scores relative to par are generally the same as on a full-length course.

Lesson to be learned: It’s not the length of the course that determines your scores, it’s your ability to play well from 100 yards in to the hole.

Play more short courses, or the “up” tees, to refine your scoring ability.

Dr. Eric C. Wilson, PGA Legacy Master Professional, is Executive Director of Golf Operations at Keiser University College of Golf. He welcomes your questions at ewilson@keiseruniversity.edu