Fault Fixer: Around the Green

If you’re like most golfers, you really want to shoot lower scores but don’t have a ton of time to work on your game. A good way to make the most of your limited practice time is to sharpen your short game, from 50 yards out all the way to the cup. This is where you can save strokes the fastest. In this first video, Kevin Smeltz, one of Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Florida, offers a series of lessons on improving your performance on the greens.

Depending on the condition of the grass, putting from just off the green is often the best option. But low, running chips can be just as smart a play. Here, teacher Kevin Smeltz demonstrates how to hit quality chip shots and avoid flippy wrists, which can lead to inconsistency when chipping. Solid contact and a body-driven swing should be your focus.

The toughest part about bunker shots is usually the mental aspect. Just getting the ball on the green is a good result, but there are a few common faults that can lead to poor results. Learning to use the sand wedge as it was designed is critical for success in the bunkers. Teacher Kevin Smeltz shows how to do it—and discusses the common faults.

The lofted pitch shot is one of the more difficult shots to master, usually because of poor distance control and a bad angle of attack on the downswing. Whether you’re next to the green or 60 or 70 yards out, the mechanics of the pitch swing stay the same. Here, Kevin Smeltz explains the best strategies for pitching and demonstrates proper swing technique.