So yesterday I totally messed up my short game near the green. Like seriously, chunked one shot into the sand trap and skulled the next one straight into the stupid fence. Figured I need to fix this chipping thing fast.
Getting My Stuff Together
Dug my old pitching wedge outta the garage. Found some crummy range balls in the yard – couple were even cracked. Whatever, works for practice. Set up a bucket about 10 feet away on the lawn. Grass was all patchy and uneven, perfect for making this harder.
Started just whacking balls towards the bucket. First five tries? Awful. Either hit the ground too early with that ugly THUMP sound or swung like a baseball bat and sent them flying over the bucket.
The Lightbulb Moment
Remembered some guy saying “just brush the grass.” Weird tip but tried it. Leaned most weight on my front foot. Kept my arms sorta straight like ropes. Short backswing only to hip level.
- First attempt: Still chunked it
- Second try: Ball popped up too high
- Third time: Hit it kinda clean? Bucket made a DONK sound!
Stopped trying to kill the ball. Focused on letting the club do the work. Foot slightly open. Gripped way down the handle. Made small pendulum swings like a clock.
What Actually Worked
Started making some solid contact after about 20 crap shots:
- Pretended the ball was red hot. Didn’t wanna linger at impact
- Stopped my backswing when left arm reached parallel
- Accelerated through like stepping on a gas pedal
- Made sure the clubface stayed looking at sky on follow-through
Ended up hitting 8 balls that actually rolled to the bucket. Two even clunked right inside! Felt like a miracle.
Big Takeaways
Main thing? Stop trying so damn hard. Short swings are better. And for god’s sake keep your head still – every time I looked up early the ball went sideways. Still need tons of practice but at least now I don’t wanna yeet my wedge into the pond anymore.
