You're five balls away from a better short game

[@RobMcGarr]

If you had to give your short game a handicap, what would it be? And what's your actual handicap?

[@ageclipse]

I've always thought HC *was* a reflection of your short game. Cheers, great videos btw Liam is pretty fantastic.

[@rodneyblackwell7477]

Short game 36 actual 17.. my main handicap is working 6 days per week. Playing in Malaysia and Indonesia during the monsoon season the ground is very wet and the contact has to be perfect. Last Sunday I would have got up and down 4 times, chunked 4 and thinned 4.

[@davidcullen3578]

Handicap of 4. Short game handicap of 8 hence I try and spend 2/3 time of short game and putting. Maybe I have a high standard of what a 4 handicap should be able to do and I know it's the lacking element to me getting lower

[@adolfozayas3359]

Im an actual 17 hdcp. my shortgame hdcp is probably a 10. it definitely helps keeping me from monster numbers. my main issue is getting off of tee and getting in the fairway.

[@ianmurphy7431]

Liam is a top bloke. Great series of posts with him. My long game would be around a scratch handicap. My mid irons a 5 handicap, my wedges a bit better. My short chips a 15 handicap, My lag putting would be tour pro level (nothing to lose, helps me trust myself) and short putts a 5 handicap. Guess I know what I’ve got to practice. But for me it’s the psychology of the short game that’s been a big hold back. Although practising technique will alway help.

[@jpaulconnolly]

These lessons from Liam are first class, some of the best videos I've watched - each one is making me want to get out and work on it. Thanks Rob.

[@Charlyky]

Tee Peg and Bounce example is awesome. Also showing the connection on the lead arm makes a lot of sense. Never thought about it and how it relates to the leading edge / bounce. BRILLIANT.

[@mikejackson9105]

I think this video takes out all the complicated stuff you see on tv, I can’t remember the last time chipping and pitch was explained so simple as with all the videos in this series of videos you have done with Liam. THANKS 😀😀🏌️🍻🇨🇦

[@cheeks9596]

Liam did a good job explaining the how and why.....Enjoyed the video

[@tsped83]

This is brilliant Rob. Simple and concise tips from Liam. Want to go out and practice it now! Keep them coming mate.

[@paws057]

I love these videos with Liam! He tells what works for him and explains it well. Thanks!

[@frostbrock]

So simple and perfectly explained. So glad you are back to making videos. Especially with Liam. You guy's make a great team and no minutes are wasted. I learn something every time. Curious though, does he keep his weight centered or more on the lead foot? Great stuff Rob!

[@robhealy3490]

Great content again rob. Great to see you carrying the golf vids. 👍

[@ruatoomey9107]

I agree with Liam, stick with 1 club, pick a landing spot. My best chipping days were always with a 60 wedge. Different wedges gives bad feel. Most people will want to know what your entry and exit points for your hands are, open shoulders, hips? 1 piece takeaway can lead to shanks if not sequenced right. What does it feel like? Great tips Liam, thanks

[@shankgolfer7951]

Very helpful and educational. Thanks much.

[@martinharvey3990]

This is brilliant Rob. Thanks for sharing... and thanks for Liam for giving some tips. Got my hcp down from 11 to 2 doing what Liam suggests. I only hit 60 on everything... playing with the loft.

[@patrickyoung3503]

Very understanding for me . I'll practice this method as the short game is my weakness . Thank you for that

[@alanplummer]

Excellent video and instruction. Thanks!

[@hughjars1587]

I think this is the best short game video I’ve ever seen. Scratch that, best golf video.

[@RobMcGarr]

Liam always delivers the gold 👍

[@Dreama40]

In regard to finding ball position with the 5 ball drill, a handy though might be to say right toe for the low shot and left toe for the high shot(right handers) and obviously center for normal shots.

[@paulherrington394]

What bounce is on the 60* wedge? Many of these are pretty low !

[@joeboyle6728]

Thanks for this - informative, insightful, and great to have it simplified like this. Well presented video, and I'm enjoying your content. BTW, Trackman has a function where it gives a HCP rating after the user completes a 15 shot short game test.

[@davemedlock2665]

I notice that Liam's chin on these chips at address points roughly at the ball and will point incrementally forward as the clubhead starts the backswing. It seems trivial, but I tried it and found better contact and clubface control. This coincides with the striking the towels drill where Liam pointed out as you improved your head was angled in front of the ball. Just a thought.

[@MrRicey155]

Liam seperation comment hit the spot, ex cricket player that's my fault all day. It's like a forward defensive shot with wide GAP, took it into 60-90 yrds as well and bingo confidence and birdies 7 in total and -2 that and 2 hrs listening to Bob Rotella finally gave me some focus. handicap 5.2 short game 18+ drill everything no floaters ever. great stuff guys

[@johntwemlow6089]

This is amazing, can't wait to get out and practice. Wondered though about opening and closing face, what's your take on that?

[@DJT77816]

This is an absolute lightbulb moment type of video, thank you!

[@RobMcGarr]

No worries, glad it helped!

[@stevenkasper6617]

One of the simplest techniques I’ve watched regarding these shots! 🙌 Now I’m on the green and can 4 putt 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@RobMcGarr]

You're saying you need a putting video? 👍

[@paulrobinson5395]

Great video Rob, those techniques are off tight fairways , would Liam adjust his technique from semi rough or rough lies around the green ?

[@ashleykr145]

Great tips, really informative and great explanations. Thanks.

[@brianyoung3]

I really like the idea of pitching and chipping with just 1 club because you get better at it. I had been doing most of my chipping with my PW and then in special cases, using my hi lofted wedge (54) or maybe an 8 iron. This year I got fitted for wedges and I really like my 54 so I'm now about 50/50 between the PW(46) and 54 and the result after a couple of months is that I'm not as good with either. I'm going to try to do it all with my 54 and only use less in special circumstances. Thanks.

[@briantreadwell2206]

I am awaiting date for wedge fitting - did you find the experience beneficial - if so why?

[@brianyoung3]

@@briantreadwell2206 It was great. They were properly gapped with loft adjustments for distance and lie adjustments for line, and I was helped to select the bounce and grind appropriate to my game and the types of courses that I play.

[@briantreadwell2206]

Many thanks Brian - I look forward to my fitting even more now 😉

[@briantreadwell2206]

Had my wedge fitting today - what we think we need and what we really need is so different - looking forward to my 50, 54 and 58 - forgotten the bounce and grind factors but the fitter knew his stuff - I’d highly recommend this

[@brianyoung3]

@@briantreadwell2206 Good point. I felt the same way.

[@arhalimi5883]

tQ Rob n Liam .. Liam has kept golf so simple..

[@Stevecollin28]

Excellent tutorial

[@conureron3792]

Stellar action. My pro is teaching me to use the bounce more on my pitches too.

[@strummer9837]

Another great and insightful video. Look forward to more. Thank you.

[@hardlyhogan4915]

this is solid gold! thanks guys

[@adolfozayas3359]

very interesting advise. will definitely try that out. i dont carry a 60. so my most lofted is a 56 and like these ideas. Great video.

[@davidbough5939]

I love this set up. Being Square and stood up, shaft more up rather than leaning forward. I just want to know is it OK to have a strong grip, whilst doing this. Or should I revert to a neutral grip. Thanks dave

[@philpancrazio]

Thanks Rob and Liam. Good stuff.

[@gbo099]

Brilliant, one of the best short game videos I've ever seen, makes things much clearer to me

[@keithneilson6236]

These videos are amazing. Fantastic insights. Appreciate you both sharing this information. It's brilliantly done

[@JustinMilligan]

Gold! Thank you 😊 👍

[@RobMcGarr]

Hope it helps!

[@davidbough5939]

Hi Great video. Can you please confirm that you play the same technique on hard ground as well as soft, and you still use the lob wedge with the same bounce. Can you please confirm the bounce ou on your wedge.. Thanks dave

[@kmille1398]

Can the pitching method also be applied to distances up to 120 yards? This would assume using clubs with stronger lofts (ie, 54* and 50* wedges in my case).

[@vicpnut1]

Back when I first started and didnt really understand the difference between chip and pitch at all I used a 60 for everything ..granted I adapted for what I wanted the ball to do. But my miss hits were getting out of control so I started listen to companions after awhile and would use. 7,8,9 for chips and got lil better meaning less miss hits .but my good shots weren’t usually as good as when hit em good with the 60…long winded point is I think I’m gonna try this “5 ball stance “ moving the ball forward or back and see if I can get better control with one or two clubs again.

[@cartersmithgolf]

Like it! Simple and effective coaching. 👍👍👍great vid.

[@briantreadwell2206]

Actual 11 - short game probably 10/9 - the easiest way to quickly improve I guess? Great v-log as result of this series I have emailed TGN and when house move sorted I’ll give Liam a call - great coach 👍

[@TheRetrospective]

Nice video! Good tips!

[@jdstubbs9971]

My index is 0. Chipping/pitching handicap, I’d give myself a 5-10. Used to be better, but I’ve “lost the bottom”. Does he do all of those shots with a square face? How about some content about chipping/pitching out of rough. Thanks.

[@samgomolka6694]

Makes sense. Phil plays all is shots with a 60 within 60 yards. Im in!! so tired of carrying different club options to the green.

[@simonhague2674]

Thanks Rob, really good video - makes me want to go out and practice!

[@RobMcGarr]

That's the idea! 👍 👍 👍

[@paulvanraay7229]

Btw, fairly confident chipper. Im starting to use my 56 for most shots after watching your other video, but sometimes a PW aswell. Hc of 11 Also I like (but don't use much anymore) the method of chipping to the same spot just on the green in that first collar, but use different clubs depending on distance to the hole. So if its 2m (yep, got metric system in Australia) to the landing spot, then another 6m to the pin, then 2 goes into 6 3 times, so third club down (sw, pw, 9, 8, 7 etc) is 9 iron. Chip to the spot and it'll roll out to the hole. Same again, 1m to spot, another 5m to hole, 1 into 5 5 times so 5th club is 7iron. First time i was shown this i holed 3 chips. I know your other video, and i agree, is about 1 club chipping, but this is one technique. Back in your stance, slightly open, and almost a putter swing. Try it! Let me know what u think

[@jamesyoo67]

Yeah...definitely don't recommend using the 60 for most beginners' chipping or pitching.

[@shootzer78]

superb - will certainly give a try !!! putting next ??

[@garyrae5413]

Stellar short game tutorial right there! So much,so simply delivered,I think I'm a bit in love with your mucka Liam!!😂👏👏

[@colinwilson8977]

Tried The 5 ball chipping today with a 58deg in my garden, seems to work for me, cant wait to get out on the course someday🙁

[@RobMcGarr]

Hope you're back out there and enjoying it!

[@Brummiebutler]

What a great little vid... keep um coming 👍👍

[@andrewwright6893]

Nice one. Brilliant advice 😃

[@bjemmettsmith]

Great short game video this 👍

[@RobMcGarr]

Liam knows his stuff! 👍

[@mikeburton8916]

Excellent, thank you.

[@golfdoctorphd]

I have a hard time with this because alot of what he says is opposite of what Phil M says. No shaft lean? Anyone else see it this way? Also, I do like your idea of short game and it's worth a shot to try. And I will, just because it opposite of what I play doesn't mean it's wrong. New subscriber here. Great content.

[@RobMcGarr]

There's no right or wrong answer - it's all about experimenting and finding what works best for you 👍

[@RoughGuitarMan]

Great stuff Rob - do you know what bounce Liam has on his 60?

[@RobMcGarr]

Not sure, sorry. I know most tour pros have low bounce but most fitters will tell you that bounce is our friend as makes it more forgiving.

[@KennieKatGolf]

Rob, I think all the focus on strokes gained for distance has really hurt the average golfer. Liam is a tour pro and he spends 80% of his time on chipping and putting! ALL pros have a great short game! Tour average scramble distance to the pin is 7ft/7in. If you want to lower scores, your scrambling needs to get you close enough to the pin to give yourself a reasonable chance at a 1 putt and absolutely nothing more than 2 putts. If you can't do that, then you're laving 5+ strokes on the table.

[@fullstack_fastlane]

Completely agree here. I put all my work into within 100m in the last 2 months and have reduced from a 14 to 8 hcp. Most important mental change for me was putting more reward on a good shot within 100m than putting feathers in my cap from long drives etc. Also, this myth of "hitting it straight" is another thing that is over-sold.

[@RobMcGarr]

I think the main thing is that time you spend practising short game and putting is rarely wasted, whereas time you spend hitting balls on the range doesn't always seem to make you better (and sometimes makes you worse!)

[@frasercarnihan1300]

Actual +1 short game 9 (im a decent putter lol) Liam comes across very well in these videos!

[@davidcullen3578]

Good work guys. Follow up on putting next

[@FreeSpeech1959]

Terrific explanation.

[@bennoj8570]

Lovin the insights from Liam 👍🏻

[@francoisdesmoulins-lebeaul4273]

That's almost exactly what I do... Except I do it with my 52 as I prefer lower/runny balls (and I have a good green reading eye).

[@steelwheels4613]

So 60 wedge with 10 bounce for chipping all distances? Old school uses different clubs for chipping depending on how much roll.

[@RobMcGarr]

Watch the video before!

[@JuanRodriguez-wk7mm]

what are the games that he plays when practicing? Can you do a video on this.

[@JuanRodriguez-wk7mm]

I tried this tip yesterday and found that it didn't work for me. I like the idea with shorter pitch/chip shots but the longer I have to carry the ball the harder I found it to control the distance. Maybe I just need more practice but I still like multiple clubs for different shorts and different options.

[@danthemanwhocancan]

Lovely stuff

[@paulvanraay7229]

So, Liam said its the same swing but you just move the ball position (which I love, by the way, keep it simple), but i couldn't help but notice on the low one he does the cut-off follow-through and on the high one the clubhead finishes higher than his head, and pointing upwards... i know its a more aggressive swing because of the loft but it's not really the same technique..

[@mattlol02]

It's the same technique, but since the ball is stopping faster on a higher trajectory the swing needs to be longer to carry the ball further. You could use the exact same technique and swing length the ball would just go different distance. Same (swing) technique, different swing lengths.

[@RobMcGarr]

Great explanation! 👍

[@SteffenKasten]

Amazing. Thanks mate.

[@jjd9990]

That's certainly helped me after a few unmentionables on Sunday

[@slowster2945]

How much bounce does Liam have on his wedge?

[@shaw9673]

intresting advice after having a short lesson yesterday

[@nickm4426]

Good informative stuff, thanks

[@jefflin1400]

Another excellent video👍

[@plusfour1]

Technique is really important and Liam has really helped us with it. But the most important take away has to be to work on your short game 80% of the time. I'd be willing to bet most club golfers are more like 20% or less.

[@twinkedits8095]

5 balls brilliant visual tool 👍👍👍

[@theartfuldodger935]

Five balls? Is this your way of telling me I need more courage?

[@Dreama40]

What ever method you use in the short game i personally have had the most success when i feel like my grip pressure is around 20%, when my grip pressure gets tighter under pressure i know i'm in trouble. Chunks and skulls usually follow.

[@RobMcGarr]

Liam advocates 2-3/10 pressure on all shots, including full swing 👍

[@whoinventedmonday]

Liam's the man I aspire to be.

[@dmax9659]

What Bounce on your 60 do you have?

[@chrisrichardson5309]

Is there a seed difference between the back middle and front ball position

[@RobMcGarr]

Seed difference?

[@Stevecollin28]

Fantastic

[@stevel9168]

Good vid appreciate the advice.. 👍

[@kevingreenacre4670]

excellent please driver next

[@edwardbugby7493]

Short game handicap - 28 Actual handicap - 11 🙈 Deffo taking these tips to the back garden practise area!!!

[@beachfraser3747]

I have days and days , play off 5 and have reverted to putting from allover the bloody place, lost my mojo!!! yikes. tried bump roll 7/8 irons , strike inconsistent, tried 54/56/58 /60 doing my head in!! practice is ok, on th e course horrendous, HELP!!!!

[@capkarr]

Lovely video indeed...

[@Aaronfps2]

I fall into this I’m pretty decent at chipping but could quit easily take 4 shots from 65 to 30 yards cause my pitching is terrible

[@andycummings2274]

Easy Rob, once again you've nailed it lol great video explained again by your man ( Liam ) will be taking a few of those tips to the practice ground .......on a lighter note Liam still doesn't like it you drove the ball 340 yrds ....he he he ...keep them coming

[@ferdinandhaag7225]

Rob, great videos. This is the only one where I tend to disagree with Liam here. I am a scratch golfer with the best part of my game being inside 100 yards. I use my 56 degree wedge on anything pretty much inside 100 yards. I am a firm believer that forward shaft lean is a must on all chip and pitch shots and yes you do take a divot however as long as you hit the ball 1st who cares what happens after it. I noticed in several of his pitch shots, they were not very pure, you can hear him hit the ground 1st than the ball. I am not trying to be against Liam here, but I do see a lot of this method taught by Pros and if they are honest, their short games are not the best. If you watch players like Stricker, Zach Johnson, Tiger woods, Phil M etc, they all have FORWARD SHAFT lean on their chips and pitches. I just dont want the users to be taught a method that is incorrect, or should I say, not done by the best in the world.

[@interestedbystander196]

On the other hand, golf is about going with what works for you. It's pretty hard to fault the technique, even if it isn't employed by certain top players, if it produces results. Liam's shots here were all decent, so I would say his technique works for him. And yes, he was hitting the ground before the ball. But, as he explained in a bit of detail in the video, he was doing this intentionally so that he could use the bounce of the club. For you, as a scratch golfer, you probably have fairly good control of you club head and position at impact and so on. However, for the average golfer, using the bounce actually increases the margin for error, which is what most golfers need. A little bit of leeway on a shot suits me down to the ground. I am never going to be a pro golfer. However, as long as I can have fun on the course, and occasionally beat my buddies, that's good enough for me. There is no "right way" or "wrong way", as long as it produces results FOR YOU. Have a good one.

[@ferdinandhaag7225]

Interested Bystander so true! Wasn’t trying to say what he was doing is not right for some people. Just my honest opinion. Thanks for the reply!

[@RobMcGarr]

Two people making totally valid points and having a reasonable discussion on the internet - whatever next! Nice work guys 👍

[@ferdinandhaag7225]

Thanks@@RobMcGarr!!

[@catrionalenihan4072]

actual handicap -14 putting- 6 chipping - 12

[@lostinfens]

Just measured the 5 ball distance & I get it to about 9" which to me, a brickie, is a brick. So now I've got to cart a brick around with me, thx a lot mate.

[@richb326]

My short game hc would be about 18, and my actual hc is 13

[@myopenmind527]

Short game handicap ~6. My putting handicap is ~0

[@spitznspots]

Something to note - when Liam does the "5 ball drill", the ball "back" position and ball "forward" positions are actually further back and further forward than the set up ball. This is because he is lining the 2 balls up with his eyes at set up. Might seem trivial, but it demonstrates how our eyes can play tricks on us in terms of our perception of ball position and our alignment. Video and asking for trusted feedback is really important in this regard.

[@anischab]

Ball right rolls, ball left lifts ;-)

[@b2bbogey735]

Really great stuff👍

[@scannon4492]

Why do we need the chip technique at all? Don't you just get the same result playing the ball off the back foot in his 5 ball drill?

[@interestedbystander196]

More or less, but I have always seen a chip as just a putt that flies a little before it rolls a lot. All of the back foot ones still flew quite a long way. If you have green to work with, then get the ball rolling as soon as possible. All other things being equal, a ball on the ground is much easier to control than a ball in the air. Both pitches and chips have their role to play in the game. Shoot low, friend.

[@markvickers6641]

Rea;;y good approach.

[@marccaruso1351]

i'm sorry but i must disagree with the theory of needing multiple chipping/pitching techniques. i use a 58* for every shot around the green and out to about 15 yards. i can pinch it short or give it a full swing. and i threaten the flag about 65% of the time. and yes, i do it old school by getting my weight forward and the ball back, and my hands forward. no way i'm changing. thanks for the vid, though, yet folks need to know that a lot of golf is player specific.

[@marccaruso1351]

though i must admit, it took me about 7 years to finally get it really consistent. maybe five balls would've been a lot easier. hey what you can say, youse can't tell me nothin'. my best, mate. and for chris'sake, please don't send over any more hearts. send a golf ball or something. m out.

[@thestandardmanual3446]

Would be nice this from down the line as well

[@RobMcGarr]

Think the shots are there from dtl?

[@sodthong]

Go Garrick at the Open ...