Short Game Chef: How to handle mudballs around the green
Don't let a mudball ruin your round.
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Your burning short-game questions are answered by Parker McLaughlin — aka, the Short Game Chef — in every new issue of GOLF Magazine.
Dear Chef, I get a lot of mudballs around the green at my local course. Is there a strategy for success with these? —Taylor K., Seattle
The key to success with mudballs is minimizing the time the ball spends in the air, since the mud can create a lot of ballflight uncertainty.
Luckily, on shots around the green, you have some options. If there’s nothing in front of you requiring carry, go with a lower lofted club and hit the trusty bump-and-run to minimize air time. If you do need to carry the ball over an obstacle, don’t forget to release your hands to add some loft to the club at impact.
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For more short-game guidance from the Chef, read on …
Dear Chef, I’m short on nearly every shot within 100 yards. How can I improve my distance control?” —Kyle M., Phoenix
Technique is even more critical on shots inside 100 yards since you need to generate a consistent trajectory to control distances.
A good drill I use with some of my high-level players is to take three balls and hit from a variety of yardages. Start at 20 yards, then move back five yards until you get to 50. Simply chart your distance control and see how far the ball is carrying from each location.
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