The First-Bounce Short-Game System
Control the Landing Spot - Control the Shot
One of the easiest ways to improve your short game is to stop focusing only on the hole.
Instead, focus on where the ball makes its first bounce.
The First-Bounce Short-Game System gives you a simple way to control chips and pitches by choosing a specific landing spot and then selecting the club that provides the right amount of roll.
1.READ THE SHOT
Before choosing a club, look at the green between your ball and the hole.
Ask yourself:
Is the shot uphill or downhill?
How much green do I have to work with?
Where is the safest place for the ball to land?
Whenever possible, choose a relatively flat landing area on the green.
2.PICK THE FIRST-BOUNCE SPOT
Choose a small, specific target where you want the ball to make its first bounce.
It might be an old ballmark, a slightly differenct patch of grass, or simply a spot you visualize.
Now forget about the hole for a moment.
Your goal is simply:
Land the ball on that spot.
3.CHOOSE THE CLUB FOR THE ROLL
Don’t automatically grab your favorite wedge.
Match the club to the shot.
8- or 9-Iron: Lower flight and more roll.
Pitching Wedge: Medium flight and medium roll.
Sand Wedge: Higher flight and less roll.
If you have plenty of green, use less loft and let the ball roll. IF you have very little green, use more loft.
TRY THIS PRACTICE DRILL
Place a towel or create a 3 foot landing zone on the practice green.
Hit five shots and count how many times your first bounce lands in the target.
Then repeat with a different club.
You’ll quickly learn how changing clubs changes both the carry and the roll.
TAKE IT TO THE COURSE
For every chip or pitch, follow this simple routine:
Read ➜ Pick ➜ Land ➜ Roll
Read the green.
Pick your landing spot.
Land the ball on the spot.
Let it roll toward the hole.
Reminder:
Don’t try to control the entire shot. Control the first bounce.
When your landing spot becomes more consistent, your distance control can improve - and you’ll start leaving yourself short putts.