BASIC CONCEPTS COME FIRST
A solid game from 50 yards and in is all about following a small set of basic principles. Excel at them, and you'll be able to pull off almost any shot.
The first principle is what I call "hinge and hold." For crisp contact and good distance control on all greenside shots, hinge your wrists very early on the backswing (left) and avoid swinging your lead arm back more than necessary. On the downswing, feel like you maintain the hinge, so your hands remain ahead of the clubhead for a descending strike (lower photo)
KEEP THE HANDS MOVING
Another key principle is to accelerate your hands on the downswing and keep accelerating them toward the target until well after the ball is gone (below). Slowing your hands is a killer because it ruins your release, changes impact conditions and often causes you to hit the shot fat.
A related concept is to maintain the loft of your wedge through impact and beyond, the face aimed at the sky for as long as possible (far right). Note how I haven't allowed my wrists to roll over. I want to keep the same clubface loft I established at address.
A 3-STEP GUIDE TO THE SETUP
I've followed the same short-game setup formula for years, and I think it will help every player's consistency:
(1) Align your feet and the clubface square to the target.
(2) Rotate the clubface open until you establish sufficient loft for the shot you're playing. Remember to regrip the club after you open the face, so you don't simply rotate your hands and "fake" the open clubface.
(3) Rotate your stance and upper body open until the face is aimed at the target (left). Make your normal swing.
SHORT PUTTS: THINK 25-75
On shorter putts you must accelerate the putter through the ball and impart a smooth, true roll. Try to make your backstroke shorter than your follow-through. The stroke should break down as 25 percent back and 75 percent through (left), though it varies slightly depending on the length of the putt.
As for obtaining a true roll, avoid hitting down on the ball or catching it on the upswing. You want the putterhead moving level, with the shaft angle at impact the same as it was at address.
