Columnist Peter Benton: Tips to improving your short game

Peter Benton

Wednesday, March 16, 2005 | 9:27 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

About a month ago, I wrote about two friends (John and Andrew) experiencing trouble with tempo.

So last week John and I met up for 18 holes, and although his tempo has improved immensely, he is rough around the green ... thus another tip is warranted.

Statistically, as most avid golfers are aware, there are more shots taken from inside 100 yards than anywhere else on a golf course, thus a good short game is imperative.

Solid contact on the middle of the clubface is absolutely necessary to being competent with your wedges.

Without that solid contact, direction and distance control are virtually impossible to achieve. The secret to understanding impact is realizing that the grip on the club shaft should stay in front of the clubface -- never behind it.

A popular drill is to stick a tee into the top of your club's grip and make practice swings trying to hide the tee behind your lead forearm. If your leading wrist breaks down, the grip will line up with your rear arm with the result being that the tee will be visible between your arms. Practice this until you can consistently "hide the tee."

Another drill is to hit chips and pitches with your rear foot off the ground but on its toes for balance. This places most of your weight on your front leg which will give you a descending angle of attack -- absolutely essential for solid contact.

Remember when making an adjustment to correct a swing fault, it is best to work gradually. No change will become habitual, or see results, overnight.