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golf SMARTER

Short Game Tricks & Tips You Can Use (And Myths to Avoid) with Jim Waldron

golf SMARTER

Josh Karp

Sports, Golf

4.3577 Ratings

🗓️ 2 April 2024

⏱️ 56 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

941.  Summary: In this conversation, Jim Waldron and Fred Greene discuss various aspects of the short game in golf and dispel some common myths. They emphasize the need for solid contact and distance control in the short game, the role of pivot in generating power, the issue of scooping and Jim provides tips for controlling spin in different conditions. They cover topics such as distance wedges, taking spin off shots, the kinematic sequence, finesse swings, distance control, trajectory control, spin control, rhythm and tempo, and scoring in the short game. Jim and Fred also discuss various aspects of putting and chipping in golf. There are many misconceptions about putting, including the illusion created by watching professional golfers on TV.  The conversation then shifts to using an iron as a putter and the technique of the putt chip shot. They explore the resurgence of Scottish chipping and its technique, as well as when to use this shot. Finally, they discuss club selection and the carry-roll ratio in classical chipping on medium-sized greens.Takeaways  The short game is an under-taught and poorly taught aspect of golf. Solid contact and distance control are crucial in the short game. Pivot plays a significant role in generating power and controlling spin in the short game. Scooping is a common issue in the short game that needs to be addressed. Controlling spin is essential in different conditions and shot types. Distance wedges are shots from about 65 to 120 yards that require medium spin and a lower trajectory. Tour pros try to take spin off distance wedges to have better control over the carry distance. The kinematic sequence is the transfer of energy from one body part to the next during the downswing, and it is different for power swings and distance wedges. In the short game, a finesse swing with less spin and a softer version of the full swing is preferred. Distance control in the short game is achieved through consistent length of backswing and a constant rhythm and tempo. Scoring in the short game requires chipping and pitching the ball close to the hole to increase the chances of one-putting. Watching professional golfers on TV can create misconceptions about putting. Lie angle balance and lab putters can improve putting performance. Using an iron as a putter can be effective for certain shots. The putt chip shot is a specialized short game shot that can be useful around the green. Scottish chipping is making a comeback in golf. Classical chipping is a foundational technique for the short game on medium-sized greens. ***Summary was AI generated from riverside.fm, our recording platform.This is an invitation for you to join host Fred Greene and other Golf Smarter listeners for a once in a lifetime Golf Smarter Royal Adventure to Northern Ireland! We're playing 5 rounds over 7 days including:     • Royal County Down GC - Ranked as the #1 course in the world!     • Royal Portrush - Host of the 2025 Open Championship!     • Ardglass GC - One of the most beautiful courses you'll ever see!     • Royal Belfast GC - Home to the oldest clubhouse in the world!     • Ballyliffin GC - Recognized as the finest links course in Ireland!Deadline to sign up is May1, 2024. Golf Smarter listeners get an additional £200 off! There's only room for two foursomes, so bring a friend to share a room for greater savings. To learn more and register please visit tmigolf.com/golfsmarter . Price includes golf, 7 nights accommodations, meals and ground transportation. Not included are... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

The carry roll ratio with a gap wedge is 50-50.

0:05.7

With a six iron, it's 20% carry 80% rollout.

0:09.6

With an eight iron, it's one-third carry, two-thirds roll.

0:13.2

With a sand wedge, it's two-third carry, one-third roll.

0:16.1

And with a lob wedge, it's 80% carry 20% rollout.

0:20.2

In my shipping system, classical chipping, you only have those

0:22.7

five clubs. Again, that's if it's a level green, obviously. If you're playing on medium-sized

0:27.3

greens, which is 99% of golf courses are medium-sized greens, classical chipping will be the most

0:33.1

commonly used short game shot. Hi, this is Ginny Harris from Gage, Oklahoma, and I play at the Shattuck Golf Course.

0:41.3

This is Golf Smarter, 941.

0:45.1

Short game tricks and tips you can use and myths to avoid with our old friend Jim Waldron.

0:51.7

This is Golf Smarter.

0:57.6

Sharing stories, tips, and insights from great golf minds to help you lower your score and raise your golf IQ. Here's your host, Fred Green.

1:04.8

Welcome back to the Golf Smarter Podcast, Jim. Great to be here, Fred. I think this is episode 30 or 31 for me, something like that.

1:12.1

70 or 75. I don't know. Yeah. Great to have you back. You know, I've been going everybody,

1:19.0

the listening audience is aware that I've been going through stuff with my arm, but it's about

1:26.2

to end. I think I'm ready to start playing again.

1:30.6

And yesterday was the first day I took full swings, and it was my back that was a little sore,

1:36.6

but my arm was okay. And so I'm going to try to play 18 tomorrow. I'm going to go to physical

1:41.7

therapy today and see. But, um, weird, you know, of course,

1:48.3

what I've been doing in my head for the last four months is don't beat yourself up.

1:54.5

Don't get caught up in the fact that you're rusty and stuff. You know what you have to do.

...

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