The Morgan Golf Academy

What is it that makes golf different from other games we play? I think there are many answers but one of them is that golf is a game made up of other games. Read most any article on golf and it likely has something in it referencing the short game, the mental game or the putting game. With that lets cover the individual games and a little bit of how they go together to make golf the King of games.

Starting with the shortest of the short games is putting. Most golfers do not see putting as a game or even fun at times. I think seeing putting as a game will make it a fun game. The best putters truly enjoy putting and the challenge, and it shows in the putts they make. When a player loathes putting, and I used to be one of those players, the 18 times per round we find ourselves on the green reduces our ability to enjoy the day. Practicing the putting game is made much more effective and efficient if you practice it AS a game. Set up some goals, find a friend and make the practice interesting. You will soon find yourself putting better and having a larger smile on your face.

The short game can be defined as any shot under 125 yards. This game is played with a variety of clubs from the hybrid chipping from the fringe to the putter off the green. The whole idea of a short game is to get the ball close enough to make one putt. A good short game will lower scores as fast or faster than a good putting game. Chipping and pitching can be practiced easily around the practice green, but the wedge game is a little tougher to do. I recommend working on the short game and putting 70% of the time that you have to practice. The wedges and short irons can be practiced on the range and focus on yardage control and solid crisp contact. Know your yardages and use them repeatedly. Think of hitting several of your favorite yardages during each round and your scores will be lower and the smile a little bigger.

The iron game is focused on in a lot of articles these days. Solid approach shots do set up birdies and keep the ball out of bunkers and water hazards. There are fewer iron shots per round for the average golfer than the short game shots or putting. Is it fun to hit a crisp 7 iron to 5 feet? Sure it is, but for most players getting the ball in the hole after a missed green will help the scores more often. Practice the irons on the range and again; irons are about knowing how far you hit each iron. Write them down and keep it with you until it is memorized. Thinking you can get the 8 iron over the water and KNOWING you can is a huge difference.

The long game is the one most people want to practice, practice and practice. Hitting bombs off the tee makes for a great show, but it will not add to the change in your pocket. Is it important to put the big dog in play? Sure, but a poor drive can be saved with a good iron and excellent short games. Have fun with it but focus much more on the shorter games.

The last one I will mention is the mental game. I am not a sports psychologist. Read a good book on the mental game and then practice it each time you hit a golf ball. After you read the book practice with those things you learned for 3 months and then read the same book again. You will be amazed at how you see the book has changed. This will again make your smile larger so make sure you visit the dentist regularly!