Short Game on Bermuda Grass

Here are some tips for practicing your game around the greens off Bermuda grass which is widespread in the Myrtle Beach area:

1) Understanding Bermuda grass

The first thing to understand is the type of grass you’re hitting off. In the Myrtle Beach area, we have Bermuda grass with a lot of grain. Grain can affect the contact with the ground and ball. Into the grain shots, the grass tends to grab the clubhead and create a chunk shot. The other effect is it will cause the ball to stop quicker on the green. The opposite is if you down grain, the club will glide through the turf more easily, and the ball will roll out more when it hits the green. The short game requires that you select a spot on the ground where you want the ball to land to give you a chance to make a good shot.

2) Address the ball properly

When you address a chip or pitch shot, make sure you place a minimum of 60% of your weight on your front foot; if your weight is back, your head will be behind the ball more, resulting in hitting behind the ball. The head should be in line or over the ball, the shoulders tilting to the right will create a bad weight position, so check for that. The club must be set with the grip end of the club slightly ahead of the ball. Play the ball far back in your stance for a lower ball flight or more to the left for a higher ball flight. You need to determine first how much room you have for the ball to roll after hitting the ground. Club selection will also determine the distance the ball travels. Eagle Nest will open a new short game area in June of 2024, which is great news for everyone who likes to practice.

3) Swing properly

Chip shots require a putting stroke style swing, and a pitch shot will require more wrist action based on the shot you have and the desired results. The short game is very diverse in different shots required so everyone needs to learn a couple of basic shots: one lower shot with more roll and less carry and one with a higher ball flight with less roll.

Remember to see your PGA Professional; we offer lessons too!