Sunday, January 9, 2011

Short Game Test

One important aspect of attaining your goals is measuring your progress. With my players, we do two types of short game testing. I want my players to test as often as possible to note improvement and catch any flaws early before they affect the confidence of my player.

One short game test is a modified version of one that I got from Claude Harmon III. It goes like this:

The test has 9 short game stations (This is a basic version...you can add more shots with bunker and longer pitch shots). The idea is to get <5 total putts and add the distances of the pitch shots / chip shots together to get the shortest total result. NOTE: Add 10% from meters to get yards (For example: 10 meters is 11 yards).

Play 3 balls at every station:

Putt =Par is 2 with every ball
Hole 1 = 1,5 meters (3 balls)
Hole 2 = 4 meters (3 balls)
Hole 3 = 10 meters (3 balls)

Chip = Measure the total length from the hole (a Hole Out means you take away 50cm from the total length)
Hole 4 = 6 – 10 meters (3 balls)
Hole 5 = 10 – 15 meters (3 balls)
Hole 6 = 15 – 20 meters (3 balls)

Pitch = Measure the total length from the hole (a Hole Out means you take away 50cm from the total length)
Hole 7 = 5 meters from the edge and 10 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Hole 8 = 7 meters from the edge and 15 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Hole 9 = 15 meters from the edge and 8 meters from the hole (3 balls)

Results
Putting Goal:
Hole 1 = Max 3 putts
Hole 2 = Max 4 putts
Hole 3 = Max 5 putts

Chipping and Pitching Goal:
0-300cm = 100% Par / Birdie (Par 5)
301cm-600cm = 50% Par / 50% Bogey
601cm-950cm = 20% Par / 80% Bogey
950cm = BOGEY!!!!!

Give this short game test a whirl and let me know what you think.

Regards,
Steven

4 comments:

  1. I like that the test gives you quantitative measurable goals. The goals are obtainable while providing a challenge. In addition the items are separated for isolating problems. Nice job!

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  2. Thanks GolfPro. Do you have any good tests that you might wanna share? I am always looking for new ways to improve my players. Cheers!

    Steven

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  3. Steve,

    I like the test as it is quick and tidy.

    Thank you so much for sharing.

    I had always used the Jerry Tucker test but is very long.

    JG

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  4. John,

    The other test I use is the Red Zone test (Charlie King and Rob Akins). I think it is based on Jerry Tucker's test.

    For measuring, I normally measure out different "ticks" on my wedges 10cm each. So you don't have to worry with the measuring tape...a little tip.

    Steven

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