Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy And Jason Day Short Game Session | TaylorMade Golf
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updated 23 Aug 2023
In this enlightening exchange, professional golfers Jason Day, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy engage in a comprehensive conversation focused on the intricate aspects of the golf short game. Set against the backdrop of a practice session, the trio delves into topics ranging from their best up-and-down moments to strategies for tackling various lies and grass types. With candid insights shared, they explore the art of visualization, the importance of technique in different conditions, and their individual practice routines. This dialogue offers a rare glimpse into the minds of elite golfers as they dissect the nuances of the short game that play a pivotal role in their success on the course.
Candid Insights into the Art of Golf's Short Game: Techniques, Spin, and Adaptations.
Club Selection for Spin and Shot Variation:
Tiger Woods uses a 60-degree wedge for spin.
Rory McIlroy releases the club underneath the ball, keeping the shaft vertical at impact for a low spinner.
Jason Day practices hitting draws and rolls, focusing on clubface control and spin variation.
Technique for Spin and Release:
Rory emphasizes releasing underneath the ball to create backspin for a low spinner.
Tiger covers the ball slightly with his body and throws his hands at impact to create spin.
Jason focuses on wide technique with minimal wrist hinge, promoting a shallow angle of attack for consistent contact.
Chipping Technique:
Jason keeps the technique wide, limiting wrist hinge and drop-kick to avoid digging.
Rory uses a towel under his arm to maintain a straighter right arm and prevent excessive wrist action.
Tiger describes using his hips and shoulder rotation, with wide technique and less wrist movement.
Ball Position and Feel:
Tiger adapts his technique due to physical limitations post-surgery.
Rory prefers handsy feel and maintains focus on hands and clubhead movement.
Jason maintains a wide technique with minimal wrist hinge, focusing on hands and clubhead movement.
Visualization and Spot Picking:
Tiger visualizes flight and trajectory from club to target.
Rory picks a spot and reads the chip and roll by matching his practice swing to that spot.
Jason uses visual cues like little discs to aim at specific spots on the green.
Reading Chips and Putting Parallels:
Tiger compares his chip technique to putting, focusing on a straight trajectory.
Rory discusses the combination of chip technique and reading the chip's roll.
Jason likens his chipping approach to his putting routine, picking a spot and focusing on the roll.
Freedom for Long Game and Momentum:
Rory credits improved short game for boosting his long game confidence and freeing him to attack pins.
Jason emphasizes the importance of key saves to maintain momentum during a round.
Adapting Techniques for Different Lies:
Tiger, Rory, and Jason all adapt their techniques for various lies, including bare lies and different grain direction.
Practice and Equipment Changes:
Jason and Rory discuss changes in their techniques and equipment to adapt to different situations.
Tiger mentions changing wedges frequently to manage grooves and spin consistency.
External and Internal Cues:
Rory uses external cues like a towel under his arm, while Tiger emphasizes an internal focus on clubface control.
Jason prefers a wide technique with minimal wrist movement, relying on his feel and visualization.
Matching Technique to Physical Abilities:
Tiger mentions how his technique has changed due to physical limitations after surgery.
Rory and Jason discuss how their techniques are tailored to their natural movements and strengths.
Importance of Short Game Improvement:
Rory highlights how improved short game takes pressure off the long game and enhances overall performance.
Jason discusses the impact of a solid short game on maintaining round momentum.
Different Shot Approaches:
Tiger, Rory, and Jason share their approaches to various shots, including spinners, draws, and rolls.
They explain how their techniques adapt to different lies and scenarios on the course.
Mastering the Golf Short Game: Insights from Jason Day, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy's Practice Session
Bunker Shot Technique:
Players emphasize getting low to the ball in bunkers.
Setting hands low and maintaining depth in hands helps utilize bounce effectively.
Lower hands allow for more margin of error in bunker shots.
Jason Day and Tiger Woods focus on hitting closer to the ball to minimize sand contact.
Handle Height in Bunker Shots:
Handle height is adjusted based on shot length.
Tiger Woods adjusts handle height to match shot distance.
Lower handle can lead to a more leftward shot tendency, requiring Tiger to adjust.
Swing Technique:
Players aim for an abbreviated swing with an accelerated club through impact.
Jason Day focuses on matching the shaft to a vertical line in the follow-through.
Tiger Woods feels the right hand's influence in bunker shots.
Bunker Shot Spin:
Effective bunker players tend to allow the club to release, generating spin.
Spin is achieved through proper technique and feel, such as keeping hands low and matching shaft lines.
Ball Position and Face Alignment:
Ball position and face alignment are crucial for controlling distance and direction.
Players align to a specific spot, ensuring better distance control and accuracy.
Tiger Woods emphasizes matching the practice swing to the actual shot.
Short Game Consistency:
Solid short game allows players to feel confident attacking pins.
Strong short game reduces pressure on the long game and maintains momentum.
Adapting Techniques:
Players adapt their techniques due to physical limitations or changes.
Tiger Woods adjusted his technique after surgery limited his hip movement.
Technique changes may include hand positioning, hip movement, and swing adjustments.
Use of Equipment:
The use of specific clubs and wedges affects short game performance.
Higher lofted wedges are preferred for flop shots and short bunker shots.
Equipment like the "hi-toe" wedge is versatile but may be challenging on firm surfaces.
Flop Shots and Bunker Play:
Players advise amateurs to avoid overly relying on flop shots.
Jason Day and Tiger Woods emphasize that amateurs should "take their medicine" and prioritize solid chipping.
Bunker Play for Amateurs:
High-toe wedges may be beneficial for amateurs out of rough and bunkers.
Amateurs should focus on chipping and solid technique over high-risk shots like flop shots.
Adjusting for Different Conditions:
Players modify swing length based on the turf condition.
A softer turf may require a harder swing, while a firmer surface requires a shorter swing.
Feedback on Equipment:
Players provide feedback on the feel and performance of equipment.
Equipment like the "hi-toe" wedge receives positive feedback for specific situations.
Candid Insights: Golf Pros Discuss Short Game Strategies, Visualization, and Course Adaptations
Memorable Shots and Strategies:
Jason Day shares examples of his memorable up-and-down shots, emphasizing the importance of executing critical shots in challenging situations.
He highlights shots from Augusta and St. Jude tournaments that required creative solutions to avoid trouble and save strokes.
The conversation underscores the significance of visualization and adapting to various lies and conditions.
Chipping Routine:
Jason Day describes his chipping practice routine, dedicating an hour and a half daily to chipping, bunker work, and rough play.
He focuses on hitting specific landing areas, experimenting with different trajectories, and manipulating his hand positions to control the ball flight.
Day uses targets like discs and circles to fine-tune his control and accuracy.
Bermuda Grass and Rough Play:
The conversation touches on how bermuda grass rough requires shallower swings to avoid getting caught up in the sticky roots.
Day mentions using a scything motion through the rough to maintain a shallow angle of attack and prevent the club from digging.
Adapting to Different Grass Types:
The golfers discuss adjusting their short game techniques based on the type of grass they encounter, such as Bermuda grass rough.
They share insights on hitting shots with more release due to the nature of the grass, which affects ball behavior upon landing.
Visualization and Feel:
Rory McIlroy emphasizes the importance of visualization and feel in executing effective short game shots, including chipping and rough play.
McIlroy and Day both stress the significance of imagining shots and understanding how the ball will react upon landing.
Club Selection and Shot Types:
Jason Day and Rory McIlroy express a preference for using their 60-degree wedges for most short game shots, with Day rarely going below a pitching wedge.
Day mentions that he might consider using a lower lofted wedge (56 or 52 degrees) for certain lies that require more bounce.
Adjusting for Different Conditions:
The golfers discuss adapting their chipping strategies for varying conditions, including firm versus soft turf and wet versus dry grass.
They talk about altering their swings and landing points to account for how the ball will react upon hitting the green.
Course-Specific Techniques:
The conversation touches on techniques tailored to specific courses, such as shots required at Augusta and The Open Championship, where adjustments to playing style and technique are essential.
Playing Styles and Preferences:
The golfers share personal playing styles, preferences, and techniques for handling different lies, demonstrating the individualized nature of the short game.
Learning and Evolution:
The conversation highlights the continual learning process in golf, with golfers adapting their techniques and strategies as they encounter different conditions, equipment, and rule changes.