The Clockwork Scoring System

Most golfers are one dimensional when it comes to their short game. For every shot inside 50 metres of the flagstick they will reach for the sand wedge or lob wedge and try to hit a pitch the right distance with the right amount of spin and roll to get it close.

This kind of short-game strategy relies too much on guess work (or hundreds of hours of practice) to make it effective.

But there is a way you can dial in ten different distances with the five most lofted clubs in your bag, to ensure every pitch you hit will finish closer to the hole. This scoring system is based on basic set-up fundamentals and using an imaginary clockface to mark your swing lengths.

Firstly, the ideal set-up for any pitch will see your feet close together because you are not going to make a big swing; so a wide stance, which you would have for a full swing where the body makes a big turn, is not required. Position the ball in the middle of your stance and have your hands in line with the inside of your left thigh (for right-handers). Also, grip down slightly on the club as this will help you ‘swing little’ for the pitch shot.

Now imagine you are standing within the confines of a clockface, with 9 o’clock to your right as you address the ball. Using your sand wedge to start, swing your arms back to 9 o’clock with a small amount of wrist cock

(pic 1). Then swing through impact to the finish, which should see your arms stop between 2 and 3 o’clock

(pic 2). In practice, take note of how far this pitch shot flies.

Sticking with the sand wedge, swing back to 8 o’clock, again with a small amount of wrist cock (pic 3) and then swing through to a finish between 3 and 4 o’clock (pic 4). This pitch shot should fly slightly shorter than your 9 o’clock shot does.

Without changing your stance or ball position, work your way through 9 o’clock and 8 o’clock swings with your pitching wedge, any other wedges you might carry, as well as your 9-, 8- and 7-irons. Take note how far each shot flies and what the run-out distance is for each shot. You will find each club will have average distances and you can take this ‘scoring system’ out on the course and pitch much closer to the hole more often.