The foundation of any good short game begins with a solid foundation and clean contact. But to really lower your score, you have to master distance control—and that comes from touch.
Touch is the ability to control distance through sensation and instinct. It takes time to develop this ability, and you’ll see this skill in better players. Here are five ways you can start honing your skills.
1. Develop your hands
Feeling starts with your hands. They control the club’s loft, face angle and speed – all of which affect distance and direction.
Practice moving the clubface and shaft angle using only your hands and arms to better understand their effects. Being aware of how subtle changes affect the ball is the first step toward real contact with the ball.
2. Let your eyes guide
Watch any skilled player during short game practice and you will notice that they spend most of their time looking at the ball. Targetnot the ball.
With experience, your eyes tell your hands and arms what to do. The same principle applies to putting – when your focus shifts from the ball to the target, your distance control improves.
3. Match swing length to distance
Aside from club selection, the length of your swing or shot has the biggest impact on distance. you can calibration This is accomplished through structured practice – here’s a link to my short game alignment course. Over time, through repetition, you will begin to instinctively feel the correct swing length for each shot.
4. Feeling the club “fall”
As your backswing lengthens, you store more energy, which naturally increases speed and distance. If your hands and arms remain relaxed, you will feel the clubhead “drop” toward the ball. This softness combines with the club’s natural weight to enhance feel and distance control.
5. Know your release
Different release patterns produce different ball flight and launch. Body-driven releases tend to be shallower, producing lower flight and more roll. The hand and arm release, just like a real pitch, launches the ball higher and lands softer. Learning to adjust between the two can help you fine-tune your trajectory and distance on command.
