Key Takeaways
1. Master the 3 Releases for Every Short Game Shot
This book is called The 3 Releases for an important reason: you are going to learn three ways to release the clubhead to give you three different shots before learning how you can adapt these to the many different lies you face on the course.
Three core shots. The system teaches three distinct clubhead releases for varied short game situations: the Chip & Run (Release-1), Soft Landing (Release-2), and Lob Shot (Release-3). These releases dictate ball flight and spin.
Specific applications. Release-1 is for low, running shots using the front bounce. Release-2 creates mid-flight spin with the middle bounce. Release-3 is for high, soft landings using the trailing bounce.
Consistency through technique. Mastering these releases provides a structured approach, ensuring predictable ball flight and spin. This versatility allows golfers to adapt to any lie or pin position, moving beyond "hope" to purposeful play.
2. Distinguish Short Game from Long Game Mechanics
Great short game players have a specialist short game action, poor short game players have mini full swing actions.
Opposite approaches. The short game is fundamentally different from the long game. While the long game prioritizes power and weight transfer, the short game demands finesse, feel, and a rotational pivot around the left side.
Avoid "mini full swings." Many amateurs mistakenly play short game shots as scaled-down versions of their full swing, leading to inconsistent strikes and poor distance control. This often involves excessive forward shaft lean and weight transfer.
Specialist action. A dedicated short game action involves a more connected lower and upper body, pivoting around a stable left side. This creates a softer, more controlled swing, crucial for touch around the greens.
3. Leverage the Club's Bounce for Forgiveness
Bounce is your friend, almost always.
Bounce defined. Bounce is the gap between the trailing edge and leading edge of the club's sole, designed to help the club slide through the ground rather than dig in. It has true, set-up, and dynamic forms.
Avoid negative bounce. Excessive forward shaft lean at address or impact reduces effective bounce, causing the leading edge to dig. This eliminates the club's built-in forgiveness and leads to heavy or thin shots.
Efficient use. The 3 Releases teach efficient bounce use: front for Release-1 (chip & run), middle for Release-2 (soft landing), and trailing for Release-3 (lob shot). Correct bounce use creates a greater margin for error, even with imperfect contact.
4. Precision Starts with World-Class Set-Up Fundamentals
Your basic set-up fundamentals are your safety net to success.
90% of the shot. Correct set-up is paramount for consistent short game shots. Key elements include a narrow stance, level shoulders, slight forward shaft lean, standing closer to the ball, and a flat left wrist angle.
Common faults. Amateurs often use a wide stance, excessive shoulder tilt, and too much forward shaft lean, mimicking long game setups. These errors lead to inconsistent low points and poor contact.
Build confidence. A technically sound set-up provides confidence, ensuring the club is correctly positioned to apply the chosen release. This foundation minimizes variables and maximizes the chance of a good strike.
5. Adapt Your Technique for Slopes and Rough
Golf is a game of adjustments.
Read the lie. Successful short game play requires understanding how different lies affect your set-up and swing. This includes uphill, downhill, and various rough conditions.
Slope adjustments. For uphill lies, match shoulders to the slope, shift weight right, and use less loft. For downhill lies, match shoulders, shift weight left, and use more loft with a "nippy" follow-through.
Rough strategies. Different rough lies (sitting down, standard, sitting up) demand varied angles of attack. From buried lies, steepen the attack; from sitting-up lies, use a shallow, "stick person" action to clip the ball.
6. Pitching: An Extension of Greenside Finesse
The key to great pitching was to see it as an extension of my greenside chipping method rather than a mini version of my full swing.
Distance control focus. Pitching (30-90 yards) is about precise distance control, not power. It should be treated as an extension of greenside chipping, avoiding full-swing mechanics like lateral hip drive and lag.
The Address System. This system (A-1, A-2, A-3) uses stance width, grip position, and distance from the ball to create natural backswing governors. This helps achieve consistent "clockface" positions for specific yardages.
Stock Release-2. The stock pitching action utilizes Release-2 for a soft, mid-flight ball. This leverages the middle bounce for forgiveness and a neutral smash factor, ensuring consistent club and ball speed.
7. Conquer Bunkers by Reading the Sand
Understanding how you work the sand, in which direction and at what speed is the key to bunker play.
Versatility is key. Bunker play requires adapting to different sand conditions: compact, standard, and deep. A single technique will not suffice for all lies.
Match release to sand.
- Standard sand: Use Release-2 (Splash Shot) with a square alignment, wide stance, and slightly open clubface. Aim to splash sand towards the target.
- Compact sand: Use Release-1 with a steeper angle of attack, more shaft lean, and a lob wedge to dig through the firm sand.
- Deep sand: Use Release-3 with maximum bounce, ball forward, and an aggressive clubhead release to power through the sand.
Practice with purpose. Drills like "sand on the clubface" and "left leg only" help develop feel and commitment. Understanding how to vary sand displacement controls distance.
8. Elevate Your Golf IQ and Practice with Purpose
To become what I call a ‘short game performer’, you need to apply my short game formula: Simply add your technique to your golfing IQ and multiply this by how well and often you practise.
Beyond technique. Great technique alone is insufficient; it must be combined with high Golfing IQ and effective practice. This means making smart decisions and training efficiently.
The 3D Coaching Process. This continuous learning cycle involves:
- Discover: Gaining knowledge (e.g., reading this book).
- Distil: Condensing information into key, actionable points.
- Do: Practicing with intent, using block, random, and pressure drills.
Strategic practice. Structure practice with the 20/20/20 rule (block/random/pressure) to build competence and transfer skills to the course. Use games like "Scatter Ball" or "Par-18" to simulate pressure.
9. Optimize Your Equipment for Short Game Success
Getting the right equipment that suits you and your game is a minefield.
Specialist wedges. Avoid using wedges that are part of a full iron set; invest in specialist wedges for superior feel and control. Forgiveness can be sacrificed for touch around the greens.
Wedge fitting is crucial. A proper fitting (70% around the green, 30% full shots) ensures correct loft combinations, bounce, and grind options. Standard bounce (8° gap, 12° sand) offers versatility.
Lie angle and ball choice. Ensure wedges are not too upright; flatter lie angles encourage the toe to slide, preventing digging. Consistently use the same type of premium or soft-cover distance ball to develop consistent feel.
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