My chipping and pitching practice plans are in constant development…
…in part because there are two areas where I might practice that encourage the use of different intentions. Looking at the image above: one is the yellow rectangular chipping zone, the other is the practice green zone within the blue oval.
I may use both zones in any given practice session, or just one. It depends on who else is around and what they’re doing.
Chipping zone
This zone has a mown area to hit from (although you can choose to be in rough grass) and three targets at different distances as aim points. These have rough grass around them (the opposite of a green on course). I think of them as landing points, not necessarily where the ball will finish up (depending on how a shot has been played).
I use this area to practice chips and pitches of different lengths. Here’s the plan:
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Stick with the same start point for the shots each practice session. Measure distances to the targets before starting.
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Using 56 degree, 51 degree and pitching wedges to compare ball flights.
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Hit 3-5 balls for each club to each target as a landing spot. Play each club to one target, then collect balls before deciding which target to aim for next.
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Pay attention to ball flight and how the ball lands and runs out. The whole zone does slope away from the mown start point, so the run out can be a bit fierce!
I haven’t completed enough sessions to really work out how this is going. I think it should help me get a better feel for the clubs I’m using and what I can do with them with different swings (amount/speed/release).
Practice green zone
This zone allows you to choose different positions, distances and lies from which to chip/pitch onto a green complex with a set of pins as aim points. For this zone I’m trying to get balls close to pins, picking a landing spot based on the club, shot shape and expected run on the green.
Here I’m most often trying to learn more about chipping at different distances to flags that are up or down hill, although I occasionally have the opportunity to pitch the ball onto the furthest part of the green when it’s quiet (which is good practice for uphill and downhill pitches. For pitching I’m using 62 or 56 degree wedges (occasionally 51 degrees into a strong wind).
For chipping, I have continued to work on the difference between playing for a lot (low shot) or a little (higher shot) run out from a landing spot. I keep in mind Dan Grieve’s release 1 and release 2 techniques, because the difference in setup improves contact with the ball and helps cue my body into the required movement.
How I use this space very much depends on whether other people are practicing. I might be using anything from 8 iron up to 56 degree wedge. There’s a lot of variables and it can be difficult to keep track of what I’m learning. I try to arrive and then work out a clear plan for practice that day.
It’s difficult to summarise what I’m learning from this, because it is very situation dependent. It should help build my adaptability and understanding of shot choices based on distance to green and lie. I do need to remain aware of my decisions, intentions and actions to learn anything from practice sessions here.
Bunkers
Alongside these practice plans, I also take time in bunkers around the practice green zone. This builds my confidence out of the sand, but I often find the sand in the practice area is very different from that on course (and every bunker is different out there too).
The key thing (as usual) is intention and commitment to action in the sand. Quitting on the shot (ie losing speed through the ball) usually means you don’t get out! Confidence is key (even if it’s misplaced).
PAD analysis
Analysing the process, accuracy and distance (PAD) for each shot in the moment helps keep things positive and intentions clear.
So much to learn
There’s a lot to learn. It’s going to take time. That’s true of every part of golf, but the short game stuff makes you feel the never-ending nature of practice the most. However, the plans I have do keep the process of learning playful and fun, so that helps!
