Tweaking Golf's Short Game: Intuition and Practice

Last weekend I had the joy of going to the golf range, with my son, and getting some much needed practice.  It was fun to see him make consistent, long straight drives between 230 and 250 yards.  My drives were a bit shorter but both of us are somewhat consistent drivers.  It’s fun to stay with one’s best club (the driver) and enjoy the regular payoff of a good drive.  It feels good to hit the ball well, but the truth be known, it’s one’s weakness that really adds strokes to the final score.  For me that’s my short game from 50 yards out to the green and flag.  There is no doubt I add more strokes to my score around and on the greens. 

At the range I made a concerted effort to hit numerous balls with my pitching wedge.  It’s one of the most important clubs in the bag:  driver, pitching wedge, and putter probably the top three.   I was pleasantly surprised at the positive shot results as I “intuitively tweaked” my pitching wedge backswing and club speed.  It took some really bad shots to help me realize where and how to make some needed tweaks.  Practice pays dividends.  Intuition helps with deciding what changes to make.  My golf short game needs a lot of work.   New insights and results happened when I made a change or two.  In this case, I shortened my pitching wedge back swing and it gave me more control of the ball speed and direction.  It felt good to see visible results. 

Intution is a gift that all humans can tap.  It’s that inner knowledge that leads one in a better direction when facing challenge or change.  Intuition is something that can be gently held as it ever so subtly leads one forward with new goals and vision.  Practice doesn’t hurt either.  Playing is one sure way to improve.  Practice does make perfect as the saying goes.   Lowering my stroke numbers from 50 yards out will make golf more fun for me.  Tweaking my game is on me.   Intuition and practice should be two of the best friends of the weekend golfer.