Short-Sided Pin Strategy: High Flops & Smart Choices

The short-sided pin. It's one of golf's most daunting challenges, often leading to bogeys or worse for even seasoned players. You've missed the green, and the flag is tucked just a few paces from the edge, with minimal green real estate between your ball and the hole. This leaves little room for error; a shot that runs out even slightly will often go over the green or leave you with a long, difficult putt back. The pressure to get the ball up and down is immense, and often players try to force a shot that isn't there. But with the right approach and a clear understanding of the shot, you can turn potential disaster into a manageable up-and-down.

Understanding the Challenge

When facing a short-sided pin, the primary issue is the lack of green to work with. Unlike a pin placed in the middle of the green, where you can land a chip shot well short and let it run, here you need the ball to land softly and stop quickly. This demands a shot with a high trajectory and minimal roll – often referred to as a 'flop' shot or a high-lofted chip. The margin for error is razor-thin, making club selection and technique absolutely critical.

The Fix: Step-by-Step Execution

Approaching this challenging shot requires a disciplined, step-by-step method:

• 1. Assess Your Lie: Before you even think about swinging, thoroughly assess your lie. Is it tight and bare? Fluffy in the semi-rough? Deep in the rough? A good lie offers more options for a high-lofted shot, while a tight lie might push you towards a different strategy, such as putting.
• 2. Club Selection: For most short-sided pins, your highest-lofted wedge (60-degree, sometimes called a lob wedge, or even a 64-degree if you carry one) is your best friend. The goal is maximum height, minimum run.
• 3. Open the Clubface: This is crucial. Open the clubface significantly before taking your grip. This adds effective loft to the club and allows the bounce of the club to glide through the turf, reducing the chance of digging.
• 4. Stance and Alignment: Open your stance slightly, aligning your body left of the target (for a right-handed golfer). This promotes an outside-to-in swing path, which, combined with the open face, helps create the necessary loft and spin. Keep the ball position slightly forward in your stance.
• 5. The Swing Thought: Maximum Height, Minimum Run: It's not a powerful swing. Focus on a smooth, accelerating motion. The lower body should be relatively quiet, and your weight should favour your lead foot. Imagine trying to throw the ball straight up in the air and land it softly.
• 6. Focus on the Landing Spot: Your target landing spot should be as close to the pin as possible, ideally landing softly and stopping quickly. Visualise the entire trajectory of the ball.

The Alternative: When to Putt

Sometimes, the best shot isn't a chip at all. If your lie is extremely tight, on bare earth, or if you simply lack confidence in executing a high-lofted chip, putting from off the green is often the safest bet. A long putt is almost always better than a duffed chip, one that flies over the green, or a chunked shot. Sometimes, the best play is the simplest, and a quick check with your CaddieIQ app might even suggest putting from off the green in certain situations, based on its advanced course analysis and lie recognition.

Practice Drill: The Towel Challenge

To master the delicate touch required for short-sided pins, try this drill:

• Place a towel about 5-10 feet in front of you.
• Your goal is to land the ball on the towel, simulating the small, precise landing area near a short-sided pin.
• Focus on the open face, open stance, and a soft, high trajectory.
• Start with half swings, gradually increasing the pace and commitment as you gain confidence.
• Vary the distance to the towel to simulate different short-sided scenarios.

Conclusion

Mastering the short-sided pin takes practice and nerve, but by understanding the mechanics and knowing when to play it safe, you'll significantly improve your scoring around the greens. Don't let these tricky lies intimidate you; embrace them as opportunities to showcase your short game prowess and save crucial pars.

Related tips

• Mastering the Bunker Shot to a Short Pin
• Master the Downhill Chip: Simple Fix for Short Game Success
• Master Uphill Chips: Stop Your Golf Ball Dead Near the Pin
• Master the Hybrid Bump-and-Run for Easier Chips