The Short Game Tip That’s Ruining Your Contact

It’s Thursday and you’ve got this coming,

❌ Stop Trying to “Stay on Your Lead Side” in the Short Game

There’s a common short game move I see all the time, and honestly—it’s wrecking more shots than it helps.

If you’ve ever been told to “put 80% of your weight on your front foot and keep it there” for chipping or pitching, you’re not alone. It sounds simple… but it causes more chunked and bladed shots than just about anything else.

Let’s talk about what really works, and the right way to use your lower body around the greens.

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🧱 The Problem with Presetting Your Weight

Most players set up with their weight forward and try to hold it there throughout the swing.

But here’s what really happens:

• As soon as the arms and club start to move back, your center of mass shifts—even if just a little.

• You may feel like you’re staying forward, but the pressure is already drifting back.

• Then you make a downswing… with no pressure forward and no lower-body sequence.

That usually leads to:

• Fat shots behind the ball

• Buckling knees and no extension

• Skulling shots across the green

 🌀 The Right Motion: Press → Extend → Release

Great short game players don’t stay stuck. They press into the lead leg during the backstroke and extend through the downswing, allowing the club to release.

Here’s what to focus on:

• ✅ Set up neutral

• ✅ Press into your lead side during the backstroke

• ✅ Extend through impact to let the club release

This dynamic motion keeps your low point forward without locking you into a static position.

👣 A Drill You Can Use Today: The Baby Step Drill

Try this:

1. Set up with your feet together and your weight centered.

2. As soon as you start your backswing, take a small step forward with your lead foot.

3. Feel your mass move forward, not just your foot.

4. Allow the club to release as you extend into your finish.

This simple motion trains everything:

• Pressure shift ✅

• Extension ✅

• Release ✅

🔁 Recap

If you’re chunking, skulling, or struggling to control contact, stop trying to preset and freeze your weight on the front side.

Instead:

• Let your body move dynamically

• Press in the backswing

• Extend through the strike

• Use the Baby Step Drill to train it

The short game is still a swing—and the lower body still plays a role. Let it help you.

Thanks for reading! I hope this helps you connect your range game to the course.

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