The Short Game

This is a follow up to a previous post about practice making permanent and not perfect!
Since then I have been to the range almost every day to perfect the "finesse" swing. The "finesse" swing is the only shot you will need to pitch the ball from 100 yards and in. The only variables you will need is the loft of the club and the length of the swing.
For example I now use 4 wedges:
46 degree which is the standard pitching wedge
52 degree gap wedge
56 degree sand wedge and
60 degree lob wedge.
These wedges are then coupled with a particular swing length which equate to a clock face.
If you can imagine that your left arm is the hour hand of a clock. When the club is in the normal address position (IE on the ground behind the ball just before take away) that would the "6.00 o'clock position".
Now the finesse swing is the length of the takeaway base on a 12 hour clock. 3 different lengths are used. All swing lengths start from the 6.00 position.
The first is the "7.30" position. This is by far the hardest to master at it is so short that it feels incomplete. Initially there just doesn't seem to be any potential to accelerate the club through the ball and it takes a lot of practice to stop the hands (especially the right hand - for right handed golfers) taking over. After a while it does become easier and the confidence builds.
The next position is the "9.00" and is the easiest. I suggest you start on this one first and master it before moving on to the others.
The final position is the "10.30" position. Again fairly easy with the only risk being the possibility of over swinging.
So with 4 clubs and 3 different length swings you have 12 distances from 100 yards out that you eventually know you can land the ball on a dime (distance wise anyway - accuracy is another story!).
Mathematically translated that means about every 8 yards you will have a definite shot to play with an almost guaranteed chance of success. I think you will agree if you could get on the green 90% of the time from 100 yards or less you would greatly reduce your scores.
But you would still need to putt. Maybe I should offer my e-book "Putt for Dough" as a freebie. It is jam packed with practical putting drills to get you to putt better and at all costs to avoid three putting.
Let me know if you would like that by posting a comment below. I will gladly do it if there is enough demand.
Next time I will report on how I am getting along with the "5 Key Elements to Distance".
Till then enjoy your game.