The Golf Short Game 

Golf Training Aids To Improve Your Short Game

Did you know that chipping, pitching, sand shots [plus putting] - the shots you take from 60 yards to 100 yards from the pin- make up the golf short game? And the short game makes up the majority of strokes for most golfers...some 60 percent of shots are taken within 100 yards during a round of golf!

Obviously, being able to properly handle that 5 iron for those 150-170 yard shots as well will greatly improve your score in the long run. But you also have to take into consideration those times when you land in a sand bunker! You need to practice determining the resistance from the sand. More compact sand will resist the club head, obviously. And the more resistance you encounter, the longer your backswing will be. Practice aids like the one below will allow you the opportunity of practicing those sand shots without leaving your own back yard. You could leave the sand loose or tramp it down to simulate the different resistances you will encounter on the links.

Or how about landing in the rough? There is heavy rough as well as light rough on every golf course and the two shots don't necessarily play the same. See below for an example of a chipping mat designed to practice your shots from the rough.

And here is one that simulates both tee and rough shots on one practice mat. You don't have to walk near as far to practice both kinds of shots as you would at the practice range! 

In the 2004 movie Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius we see young Bobby practicing chipping the ball into a garbage can. You can do the same or use a net like the one below to chip into and improve that part of your short game.

The item below is called the "splash board" and is made out of Lexan material. This board allows your sand wedge to slip underneath the ball and teaches you the technique of taking advantage of the clubs designed with a flange on the bottom. 

And here is a short game practice aid that allows you to practice shots from various lies. Not every shot you hit will be from a level spot. This kind of device can be used at home to make you comfortable in just about any position your balls lands in. Not much can take you by surprise if you learn to use a practise device like this for your short game.

Don't neglect any of these aspects of your game when looking for a good golf swing trainer for the short game. 

Now let's take a look at some recommended golf short game training aids.

• Chipping and things to look out for