I’ve always been a big fan of Alex Noren’s short game, as the 41-year-old Swede just seems to find a way to score low.
It makes sense, too, given the fact that he ranks No. 1 in Scrambling on the PGA Tour this season, meaning he saves par or better despite missing greens in regulation (GIR). For any amateur player who struggles to hit greens — arguably the most important stat for improving scores — Noren’s a good example of how to still shoot low when this occurs.
Want to get up and down more? Establish your baseline first
But it all comes down to mastering your wedge shots and putting.
In the video below (courtesy of Callaway Golf’s YouTube), Noren shares a go-to warm up drill to help get the touch he needs on his wedge shots before a round. Considering his success at getting up-and-down, it might be something worth trying for yourself as well!
Try Alex Noren’s warm up drill for improved wedge shots
“We’re going to go through a very simple drill that’ll improve your short game, or for anything under 80 yards,” Noren says.
Noren then addresses a common problem that he sees with amateurs when he plays in Pro-Ams: Too much scooping.
“There’s a little bit too much scooping out of the bunker, or scooping out of chipping; especially in the rough when they try to put a little bit of spin on the ball,” he says. “So the angle of attack is really important in the short game.”
So what should your angle of attack be on wedge shots? Noren prefers something higher.
“[Use] a little bit higher angle of attack, so you don’t have to take a massive divot after,” he instructs. “Just getting used to the club going a little bit up and down.”
Using a 56-degree wedge, Noren walks through his warm up drill.
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“Put a club [on the ground] one foot behind the ball, which serves as a reminder not to scoop and hit the stick,” he says. “I get above [the club on the ground], and didn’t take a divot. So it’s not all about the divot, it’s just about the angle of attack.”
Noren demonstrates a few chip shots first, then moves to more of a full swing — but still applies the same angle of attack regardless of the length of his backswing. He then shows how to master bunker shots with this drill.
“On a bunker shot, you open the clubface a little bit, you try to get above [the club on the ground], and hit one like you would out of the bunker; getting a little bit of a divot,” he says.
By using this drill from different practice areas before a round, it’ll give you the necessary feel on your wedge shots, work on dialing in the attack angle, and build your confidence.
“Use this drill about five minutes before a round,” Noren adds. “So when you get out on the course, you’re going to chip it better, be a little better out of the bunker, and your wedges are going to be better.”
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