Short Game Chef special edition

As I look through the archives of Finding the Tips, it’s clear that we have concentrated our tips on the full swing. And that’s not wrong.

But if an amateur golfer really wants to improve their game, the first place he or she should look is at the short game — pitching, chipping, greenside bunkers and putting.

So this edition focuses on instruction from the Short Game Chef, Parker McLachlin. Start off your 2024 golf season with a revitalized short game and your scores will drop precipitously!

In this issue

• 7 short game myths BUSTED!

• A Short Game Chef lesson

• Stroke the bump and run shot

• Putting non-negotiables

• On the lighter (and wetter) side

• Next time in Finding the Tips

7 short game myths BUSTED!

Parker McLachlin knows how to cook up a great short game. That’s why he is the Short Game Chef for many PGA tour stars including Collin Morikawa, Tom Kim. and Joel Dahmen. He’s also a former PGA Tour player and winner.

In this video he discusses seven short game myths, busts them all and gives us an easier, more effective way to approach each shot.

He busts the following short game myths:

1. Setting up to a bunker shot with an open stance and an open face

2. Hitting a flop shot from a fairway or tight lie that requires a huge swing and taking a big divot

3. Employing the hinge and hold method for chipping

4. Hitting long bunker shots with your highest lofted wedge

5. Squaring or closing the clubface to escape a plugged lie in a bunker

6. Playing the ball back in your stance when chipping from the rough

7. Keeping your weight forward for a stock chip shot

Looking at that list, can you remember the last time you didn’t face at least one of those shots during a round of golf?

The Short Game Chef has simple recipes for all these shots.

A Short Game Chef lesson

Parker McLachlin gives a short game lesson to Danny Rapaport from the Fore Play Podcast Plus on YouTube. Danny is also a former staff writer covering the PGA Tour for Golf Digest.

Watch this lesson to see exactly how Parker helps students, both pros and amateurs, develop a consistently effective short game.

This video lets you listen in and see how it should be done. I’ve watched this several times and will watch it several more time this spring.

Stroke the bump and run shot

Because most golf course greens are slanted down towards the fairway, and most of us leave approach shots short than long, an uphill chip off a tight lie often results.

The tour pros we watch on TV pull out a high-lofted wedge. For mere mortals, that’s a big ask. The Short Game Chef wants us to try other clubs when we’re faced with this.

He suggests first that we use a hybrid to hit the ball. Don’t try to hit the ball; instead make a stroke like you do with your putter. Stand tall and closer to the ball. The shaft should be more vertical and you should use your putter grip.

Next, he suggests using a 7-iron, using much the same technique as with the hybrid. It flights a little higher than the hybrid but still rolls out.

He also suggests a 9-iron. Stand close so the shaft is very vertical, take your putter grip and use a putter stroke. This will fly higher still.

Parker demonstrates how to handle various situations so that we can understand the shots and then enjoy golf even more.

Putting non-negotiables

Putting is the one part of the game where everyone is different. Nicklaus didn’t putt like Palmer. Rory doesn’t putt like Tiger. Putting is very personal. And that’s OK.

But the Short Game Chef says there are three non-negotiables that you must have in your setup if you are to be a good or great putter.

First, your eyes must be over the ball or slightly inside it. Drop a ball from the bridge of your nose when you are set up over the ball you’re putting. Ideally the drop lands very near the ball, or a bit inside it. It should never land outside the ball.

Second, your ball position should be slightly forward of the center of your stance. None of today’s great putters play the ball back in their stance.

Third, when you are set up to putt, the shaft of the putter and one of your forearms should be on the same plane. In other words, they should together form a straight line. It’s usually the lead arm but it might be the trail arm, depending on how you hold the club.

On the lighter (and wetter) side

When you’re playing in an important event like the President’s Cup, you try your best, come hell or high water.

Just ask Woody Austin aka Aquaman.

Next time in Finding the Tips

In the Masters week edition of Finding the Tips, world renowned coach Pete Cowens is going to give us drills and instruction that have the potential to change your golf game forever. You’re going to love his approach and his drills that you can and should do at home and on the practice tee.

Meanwhile, please share this email newsletter with any golf friends who are looking for ways to improve their games.