Master the Scoring Zone: Chipping and Putting Drills to Shave 10 Strokes Fast

If you want to know how to lower your golf scores immediately, look no further than the 100-yards-and-in category. Roughly 40% of your strokes happen on the green, yet most amateurs spend their practice time banging drivers at the range while the putting green sits empty.

The "Texas Wedge" Rule

A fundamental rule for breaking 90 is that your worst putt will almost always be better than your worst chip. Unless there is a physical obstacle like a sprinkler head, use your putter (the Texas Wedge) from the fringe. Chipping introduces variables like chunking or blading that can lead to a double-chip disaster.

The 3-6-9 Putting Drill

To handle pressure on the course, you must practice with consequences. Use the 3-6-9 drill: you must make three consecutive putts from 3 feet, then 6 feet, then 9 feet. If you miss, you start over from the beginning. This builds the "clutch" gene needed to save pars when it matters most.

Accelerate Through the Ball

The #1 killer of short game shots is deceleration. Amateurs often take a backswing that is too long and then panic, slowing the club head down at impact. Commit to a shorter backswing and accelerate through the chip, finishing with your belt buckle facing the target.