Easy-to-grasp techniques for improving the short game About 70 percent of the shots in a round of golf are taken 75 yards from the pin or closer, making the short game the most significant factor in a golfer's score. This practical guide shows readers how to shave strokes off their game by improving their pitching, chipping, bunker play, and putting. Golfers will find expert tips on choosing the right wedges, putters, and balls, as well as illustrated step-by-step instructions on swings used in short-game shots. They'll also find information on how to beat bunkers and other hazards and how to play various lies-in deep rough, from the fairway, uphill, side-hill, and off bare ground. There's also a section on stretches, exercises, and drills to improve techniques, as well as tips on reading greens for accurate putting. Michael Patrick Sheils (Birmingham, MI) is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America. He has written four books, and his articles and columns have appeared in worldwide magazines and newspapers. Michael Kernicki (Miami Beach, FL) has been a PGA member for 27 years and is currently the Head Professional at the historic Indian Creek Country Club in Miami Beach.

Easy-to-grasp techniques for improving the short gameAbout 70 percent of the shots in a round of golf are taken 75 yardsfrom the pin or closer, making the short game the most significantfactor in a golfer's score. This practical guide shows readers howto shave strokes off their game by improving their pitchingchipping, bunker play, and putting. Golfers will find expert tipson choosing the right wedges, putters, and balls, as well asillustrated step-by-step instructions on swings used in short-gameshots. They'll also find information on how to beat bunkers andother hazards and how to play various lies-in deep rough, from thefairway, uphill, side-hill, and off bare ground. There's also asection on stretches, exercises, and drills to improve techniquesas well as tips on reading greens for accurate putting.Michael Patrick Sheils (Birmingham, MI) is a member of the GolfWriters Association of America. He has written four books, and hisarticles and columns have appeared in worldwide magazines andnewspapers. Michael Kernicki (Miami Beach, FL) has been a PGAmember for 27 years and is currently the Head Professional at thehistoric Indian Creek Country Club in Miami Beach.

Introduction 1Part I: Walking the Short Game 7Chapter 1: Sharpening Your Approach 9Chapter 2: Discerning the Short Game Certainties 21Chapter 3: Gearing Up for the Short Game 33Part II: The Long and Short of It: Short Game Technique 51Chapter 4: Chipping Off the Ol' Block 53Chapter 5: Pitch, Pitch, Pitch 67Chapter 6: Climbing Bunker Hill 87Chapter 7: Putting Your Best Foot Forward 105Part III: Short Game Strategies 123Chapter 8: Waging (and Wedging) a Ground Campaign 125Chapter 9: Selecting Putting Strategies and Remedies 137Chapter 10: Taking an Unconventional Approach 149Chapter 11: Flipping to Flop 163Chapter 12: Keeping Your Head in the Game 169Part IV: Short Cuts to the Short Game 179Chapter 13: Warming Up to the Short Game 181Chapter 14: The Games People Play 195Chapter 15: Tricks and Treats: Techniques and Tools to Improve Your Game 203Chapter 16: Learning from the Stars 217Part V: The Part of Tens 225Chapter 17: Ten Simple Secrets of Short-Shot Success 227Chapter 18: Ten Ways You Can Practice Off the Course 231Chapter 19: Ten of the Greatest Short Shots Ever 239Chapter 20: Ten Great Short Game Golf Courses 249Index 257