SHORT GAME Work on distance control

Whether you are chipping or pitching the ball, the short game is all about how far you carry the ball on to the green. Of course, its reaction once on the green will depend on the surface and the trajectory of shot you play. The secret is combining flight and roll to suit any given situation; when we look at a shot and try to analyse how the ball will react on the green, we are building a picture in our mind, but the critical thing is landing the ball on a chosen spot. I work on my distance control every time I practise. For me, the key is to match the length of my backswing with the length of the follow-through. So, working on shots of 40, 60 and 80 yards or so, the swing gradually gets longer. Imagine swinging within a clockface: to hit the ball 50 yards my hands might swing from 10-to-10; 70 yards would be nearer 11-to-11, and all stops in between. The real beauty of this method is that it encourages you to swing the clubhead with a smooth and even tempo, which helps you to control the spin you put on the ball, and thus its reaction on the green.