The game of golf features many complex elements, but perhaps none are as important as the so-called short game. The short game comprises of putting and chipping, the areas where many golf shots go to waste.
A golfer may cover 275 yards of a golf hole in one drive from the tee, then take two or three shots to get the ball in the hole from just a few feet away. In these precise and short shots a good golf score is earned or lost.
Par
Every golf hole includes a par standard. Hole classifications include par threes, par fours and par fives. The commonality between all par standards is that par allows for two putts on a green. Thus, a par three anticipates that a golfer will reach the green in one shot and need two putts to complete the hole.
Likewise, a par five suggests that a golfer will need three shots to reach the green, but is still afforded two putts on the green. A skilled chipper is able to chip the ball close enough to the hole that only a slight tap-in is left with the putter.
Putting Definition
A putt is simply a golf stroke taken with a putter. Unlike other clubs, a golfer does not take a full swing with a putter. Instead, he uses the club to gently roll the ball across the green. Putters have flat faces designed for this task. To prepare a putt, a golfer attempts to read the slope of a green.
He estimates whether the ball will break to the left or right, takes into account whether he is putting uphill or downhill, then estimates where to aim the ball. The putting stroke is made by lining shoulders and feet to the hole, bringing the putter back and hitting through the ball toward the hole.
Putting Rules
Once a ball reaches the green, golfers are allowed to mark their ball, pick up and clean their ball, and replace it back where it was marked. This tactic is especially useful when a ball collects a great deal of mud in wet conditions.
However, a golfer may not substitute his golf ball on the green. He must putt the same ball with which he reached the green. Golf balls may also be marked and lifted when a ball obstructs another golfer’s line to the hole.
Chipping Definition
A chip shot is used around the green when a distance is too close for a full swing, but too far to putt. From a swing standpoint, a chip is very similar to a putting stroke. The golfer attempts to slowly bring the club back and then make just enough contact to land the ball on the green.
Once on the green, a chip shot rolls much in the same way that a putt rolls, thus golfers must also take into account the slope of the green when chipping.
Chipping Approach
When playing a chip shot, golfers tend to stand with the ball positioned near the back of their stance. This makes it easier to make contact with the ball and eliminates the risk of striking the ground before the ball.
Chip shots are usually taken with wedges, such as a pitching wedge, sand wedge or gap wedge. In some instances, when a ball must be elevated quickly, a lob wedge is used.
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Tags: Golf Putting & Chipping, Putting and chipping, The game of golf features