Stan Utley, a former PGA Tour player, has become one of the short game gurus in the world of golf instruction.
Utley wasn’t exactly a world-beater when he played. One of his nicknames from a tour caddie was: Stan “I Can’t Make A” Cutley.
But today, Utley’s an ace instructor when it comes to the short game and a lot of Tour players seek his help.
Today, Utley asks amateur to “not be set in your ways.” He points out that when you’re chipping from around the green, the first objective is to “get the ball onto the green.” Sounds simple enough but how many times have you seen high-handicappers chunk a chip shot and end up hitting a second chip.
Utley like to use a 58[degree wedge. But as he puts it: “I’m an expert.”
What he suggests is the old KISS approach. If the grass around the green is short, try putting the ball or using a hybrid club. Make sure you practice with that hybrid as the “trampoline” effect that the USGA wants to limit for pros, is very evident when you use that hybrid like a putter. The ball will come off hot.
When you practice your short game, try different clubs from off the green — putter, hybrid, a five-wood if you don’t carry a hybrid and even some less lofted clubs like seven and eight irons. The great Raymond Floyd rarely putted from fringes, even short grass. He chipped with clubs like five, six and seven-irons. It worked out pretty well for Floyd over the span of his Hall Of Fame career.
Click here for a lesson from Stan Utley:
And don’t forget to practice!!
