Dial in Your Short Game - 30 Minutes at a time

If you’re like me, you’re busy. Time is precious, and squeezing in a trip to the driving range feels like a luxury. When I do make it, I want swing the big stick and maybe down to the 9 iron. Watching balls soar 200 yards is way more fun than dumping a bucket on 20-yard pitches or bump-and-runs.

That’s why I love practicing with the Chip Strap. I unroll it in my backyard, and I’m practicing in minutes—no range fees, no traffic, no excuses.

There are many reasons it works, but the biggest is instant feedback. The strap represents your target line to the pin making sure your alignment is right. Every ball you hit shows you it exactly where lands in direct relation to your target line. Hit 50 balls, and your shot dispersion is looking back at you. When I started, my pitch shots were everywhere, including over the fence into the neighbors yard. Now? They’re tight, and much more consistent.

Here’s how I practice—structured, deliberate, and fast:

1. Setup: Roll out the Chip Strap starting on a piece of turf (saves the lawn). Grab my shag bag with 75 balls.
2. Warm-up (10-yard target): Hit 10 easy shots to dial in tempo and alignment.
3. Precision drill: Aim for 3 shots within ½ yard of the 10-yard mark.
4. Progression:
   • Move to 20 yards → 3 shots within ½ yard.
   • Drop to 5 yards (brutal but essential) → 3 consecutive.
   • Back to 10 yards → repeat.
   • Up to 15 yards → repeat.
5. Random mode: Call out distances on the fly. No two shots the same.
6. Chip variation (if time allows): Practice chip shots 10 yards and closer. Cycle through 5 → 10 → 3 yards, then randomize.

I can get through all of those shots in about 30 minutes.

This isn’t just practice—it’s training. I know exactly how a 7-yard carry feels for a chip, pitch or flop shot. I know how to hit a 20 yard pitch shot compared to a 16 yard shot. When you're around the green, knowing the difference will save you putts. On the course, I’m not guessing. I’m executing. Because of my practice, my putts per round dropped from 2.6 to 1.8. I’m more confident chipping than with any other shot.

To get better around the green, stop wasting range time on meaningless swings. Get a plan. Use the Chip Strap and practice with purpose.