The 3 X 3 X 3 System CraftSmith Golf Academy James Smith Director of Instruction

Critical Learning Factors Short game play is learned in a systematic, stepwise building of concepts and skills to include: It’s Just a PuttPositive Mental Attitude … Expect to Succeed Because … It’s Just a Putt Control the Length of the Backswing Control the rhythm of the swing Control the direction of the Swingpath

Basic Concepts for Short Game Play The purpose of using a systematic method is to: Learn and use one swing technique to produce a nearly unlimited variety of shots Reduce (not eliminate) the need to develop “touch and feel”. Replace talent with by technique whenever and wherever possible

Set-up the Shot Using the 5 Stanza Master Pre-swing Routine 1.Behind the ball Analyze, select and visualize 2.Practice swings 3.Mechanical set-up to the ball Point and paint Club, grip, point, aim and hangle 4.Clear, Focus and Fire When Focused 5.Analyze and reward The Master Pre-Swing Routine is Taught in Detail in Another Presentation

Execution of the 3 X 3 X 3 System putting should be taught firstIt’s just a putt … use slightly modified stroke mechanics used for a lag putt ( putting should be taught first ) Use the Master Pre-Swing Routine … the MPSR integrates every shot into one systematic whole game approach The MPSR allows you to learn less, practice less and to do more Read the Break and Adjust Your Intermediate Aim Point

How the 3 X 3 X 3 System Works Objectives / Rules for Short Game Play Land the ball safely on the green Get the ball on the ground and rolling as soon as possible Aim every shot at an Intermediate Aiming Point Hit every shot firmly

How the 3 X 3 X 3 System Works Definitions of the Various Short Game Shots Chip … a shot played from the near fringe area of the green You deliberately play the shot on a low trajectory for the purpose of making the ball run farther than it flies

Critical Concepts There is no such thing as a finesse” shot for an amateur golfer … Muster up the courage to swing firmly on every shot … Slow AND Go stroke rhythm Accept the possibility of hitting the ball past the hole in favor of consistent performance! Technique is more important than talent … Learn to execute one simple swing technique Control the shot by selecting the correct club and strategic technique.

Types of Greenside Shots Putting Chip … a chip strategy used when you have “finesse” target and you have a good lie Basic Chip … the standard strategy for shots played from the near fringe area when controlling the distance the ball rolls is the key Basic Pitch … the standard strategy for shot played from 5-40 yards away from the green when controlling the distance the ball flies is the key Lob/Cut Lob … a specialty shot played from near the green when the ball must carry and obstacle and the distance it rolls must be controlled Each Shot Requires Progressively More Skill

Control Multiple Variables The general goal is to see, intellectually understand and systematically execute, the great variety of shots needed for short game play. Increase both the rate and depth of skill learning, which leads to higher levels of on course performance Gain a higher level of confidence, which leads to relaxed and improved performance

“In-Between” Variables for the 3 X 3 X 3 System When you have a “tweener” that does not go the exact distance you have practiced or when you “feel” the need for a little more or less … NEVER finesse the shot; change your pre-swing to match the need

“In-Between” Variables for the 3 X 3 X 3 System Grip Length Short produces less force because of the shorter lever Long produces more force; BOTH with the same swing motion/pressure

“In-Between” Variables for the 3 X 3 X 3 System Backswing Length 7-8 o’clock is a soft area, not a hard point Let your inner sense of “feel” control the length of the backswing Grip Pressure Soft for shorter shots Firm for longer shots

Club Selection Change clubs, not your swing SW … 8I … 5I (8 ° between clubs can be produced by skipping two clubs in the series

Putting Chip Definition Club Selection Execution This window will contain a video demonstration

The Putting Chip When you have a good lie and can get the club under the ball, and when you are faced with a “finesse” shot, then use any of the selected clubs like a putter The ball will come off the face very softly … you must make a commitment to “strike the ball”

Setup Ball position middle-forward Hands even with ball, shaft vertical Shoulders closed to closed relative to intended target line

Swing Execution Minimum wrist action … putt the ball with a lofted club Backswing Length … 7-8 o’clock Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square to Inside

The Basic Chip Shot Club Selection: SW – 8I – 5I Goal: One swing using different clubs to produce multiple shots Setup Ball position forward Hands even with ball, shaft vertical Shoulders closed to closed relative to intended target line

Strategy for Chip Shots

Swing Execution Click anywhere on the picture to watch the videoClick anywhere on the picture to watch the video The video will continuously loop … you may press the left mouse button to pauseThe video will continuously loop … you may press the left mouse button to pause Click anywhere on the slide, outside of the video to continue to the next slideClick anywhere on the slide, outside of the video to continue to the next slide

Basic Chip Definition Club Selection Execution

The Pitch Shot Club Selection: PW - SW – LW Goal: Three basic ball flight distances (short, medium and long pitches) produced using three defined backswing lengths Limited selection of clubs (PW – GW – LW) to produce some intra- distance variation in trajectory

Strategy for the Basic Pitch Shot

Setup for the Pitch Shot Ball position middle/forward Hands even with ball, shaft vertical to minimum forward press Shoulders slightly open relative to intended target line Clubface slightly open relative to intended target line

Swing Execution of the Basic Pitch Limited wrist action … dead hands, up and down, arm and shoulder swing Backswing Length … Short Pitch (10-15 yard ball flight, 5 yards of roll) … 8 – 9 o’clock; hands move past your knee and are lower than your belt Medium Pitch (15-25 yard ball flight, 5 yards of roll) … 9-10 o’clock; hands rise to just above your belt and are lower than your chest Long Pitch (25 -40) yard ball flight, 5 yards of roll) … 10-11; hands rise to shoulder high with NO wrist cock

Swing Execution of the Basic Pitch The length of the forward swing is always longer than the length of the backswing There is no deliberate attempt to make the ball stop rolling As the distance from the intermediate landing point increases, the trajectory also increases.

Basic Pitch Definition Club Selection Execution This window will contain a video demonstration

Lob/Cut Lob Definition Club Selection Execution This window will contain a video demonstration

Setup Ball position middle-back Hands ahead of the ball, shaft is forward pressed Shoulders slightly open to square relative to intended target line Clubface slightly open to square relative to intended target line

Swing Execution Minimum wrist action … putt the ball with a lofted club Backswing Length … 7-8 o’clock Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square to Inside

Expected Roll all pitch shots to roll about the same distanceA steeper angle of descent and a natural, but slight increase in backspin causes all pitch shots to roll about the same distance The distance the ball rolls will vary slightly from one player Swingpath Direction: Inside to square to inside

The Lob Shot Club Selection: SW – LW Setup Ball position forward Hands even with ball, shaft vertical Shoulders closed to closed relative to intended target line

Swing Execution MinimumMinimum wrist action … putt the ball with a lofted club Backswing Length … o’clock (3/4 backswing) Backswing Rhythm … lazy up; slow up and go Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square to Inside

The Knockdown Shot Setup Ball position middle-back Hands ahead of the ball, shaft forward pressed Shoulders slightly closed relative to intended target line Weight on the left side Goal: Low flying, controlled escape Swing Execution Minimum wrist action; Backswing Length … 9-10 o’clock Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square; low followthru Expect the ball to hook!Expect the ball to hook!

The Punch Shot Setup Ball position middle-forward Hands even with ball, shaft vertical Shoulders slightly open relative to intended target line; clubface slightly open Weight evenly distributed left to right foot Goal: Higher flying, controlled escape Swing Execution Minimum wrist action; Backswing Length … 9-10 o’clock Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square; low followthru Expect the ball to cut!Expect the ball to cut!