Instruction

Game of the Weekend: Chipping Median

Published

11 years ago

Sep 4, 2015

While much has been rightly made of the importance of distance off the tee, you still can’t get through a round of golf without your wedges. It’s inevitable that your short game is going to be put to test when you play. This Game of the Weekend will help you easily see how close you’re hitting your chips from the hole. Give it a go and see how low you can make your Chipping Median.

Game of the Weekend: Chipping Median

Gear needed: 15 golf balls and your chipping clubs.
Time needed: 5-7 minutes.

Rules: The closer you hit your chips to the hole, the greater your odds become of making the putt. That said, this game called Chipping Median will help you do a quick measure of the median distance you hit your chips from the hole.

From within 5 yards of the green, hit 15 shots to three different holes in the following manner: one ball to the closest hole, one ball to the hole in the middle, and one ball to the hole farthest away. Repeating this series a total of five times will give you 15 chip shots.

Once you have hit all 15 shots, walk up to the green and, taking all three holes into consideration, remove the seven closest shots you have hit to your targets. Find the next closest shot (which would have been the eighth), and step off how far away it is from the hole rounded to the nearest foot and record that number into our interactive practice website www.golfscrimmages.com.

The eighth closest shot is your median, and is significant because there are seven shots closer to the hole and seven shots that are farther away. Improving your median is a neat way to monitor your short game progress to help you improve the likelihood of making more putts. See the video below for more.

Benefits: Here’s what this game helps you with.

Even the top players in the world don’t hit every green in regulation, so getting your chips as close to the hole as possible will obviously make for easier up-and-downs. This quick and easy way to measure the effectiveness of your short game shots creates a competitive environment in which you can easily chart your progress.
Remember to take note of your bad shots, too. You can have a fairly low median, say 4 feet, but if you hit several stray shots that roll 20 feet away from the hole they will end up costing you when you’re on the course.
Concentrate on every shot so that all 15 end up close!

Practice well to play well, and enjoy this Labor Day weekend!

More Games

Related Topics:

Up Next

Finding the ideal impact point on your driver

Don't Miss

The dark side of too much change

Trent Wearner

Trent Wearner is the No. 1-rated teacher in Colorado by Golf Digest Magazine, as well as a two-time Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year (2004, 2014). Along the way, he has been recognized as a Top 20 Teacher Under Age 40 by Golf Digest, a Top 50 Kids Teacher in America by U.S. Kids Golf and a Top Teacher in the Southwestern U.S. by GOLF Magazine. Trent is also the author of the book Golf Scrimmages and creator of the website GolfScrimmages.com

4 Comments

joshuaplaysgolf

Sep 4, 2015 at 11:15 pm

Agreed, but what I do think is that by progressing to each hole after one ball, you are forcing yourself to think through each shot and not just repeating the same 5 shots consecutively. Yes you would make adjustments after each shot, but it’s similar to having a 10 yard chip on the 2nd hole, and then having another on the 5th…you would take the information from the first chip and make an adjustment as necessary for the next one.

They pretty much laid this out in last weeks, 18 holes of up and down…but to really simulate what you would come across in a round, I like to take 9 balls and put them all around the green. Different lies, different distances, different shots. You get one go at it as you would during your rounds, and adds a little pressure to your practice. After putting those 9 out, repeat and see what your score is. Obviously, you don’t want to be the jerk putting on the chipping green, so either find somewhere with a large chipping green or wait until no one else is chipping…usually in the evening/twilight. Personally, I don’t like chipping more than 10 balls onto the green at a time…I don’t feel that hitting balls into a pile of balls around a hole does anything for you, and is inconsiderate of other people who are practicing. There is value in muscle memory, but standing in one place hitting 100 balls is not very effective (see this ALL the time). You learn a lot more a lot quicker by forcing your brain to adapt to a wide variety of conditions and swings. For example, if you want to work on 20 yarders, hit a handful of balls from that spot, hit a few other types of shots, and come back. It’s the same principle of only hitting 3-5 balls on the range with one club and cycling back to it to keep your brain from going into autopilot.

Reply Report comment
- Bo B. Jammin
  
  Sep 5, 2015 at 10:11 am
  
  You’ve got it right Joshua. I know several guys that always practice their chipping by unloading a shag bag and piling up balls around one hole. Half way through the bag of balls their shots are colliding into the previous balls that they have hit so they have absolutely no clue as to the quality of their ball striking and how much the ball checks up when it hits the green, but they just keep chipping away at the same spot like some zombie in a golf trance. What amazes me even more is that almost invariably, they will then collect up all of their balls and repeat the exact same thing from the exact same spot a few times before they finally come out of their clueless trance, collect up their balls and then walk away apparently content that they have somehow miraculously improved their game.
  
  The reason I know that this way of practicing doesn’t work is that I often play a round with several guys who practice like that and on the course, their short game is severely lacking. You can see the fear in their eyes because that have absolutely no idea how hard to even strike the ball much less what loft / backspin they want or can put on the ball based on they lie they are confronted with.
  
  They always give me compliments on my short game but on the practice green they seem to feel sorry for me when they see me practicing with only three balls. . . (Several of them have actually offered to give me one of their old shag bags.)
  
  I firmly believe that if you don’t practice with the intensity and at the tempo, pace and the randomness of lies, slopes and distances that occurs during an actual round of golf, you are, for the most part, wasting your time.
  
  In golf, every shot is a puzzle that must be solved, but nowhere is that more true than around the green. Personally, if I have to get up and down and my chip shot isn’t either in the hole, or within 18 inches of the hole and positioned where the putt will be a no-brainer, I feel as though I have failed the task at hand. I don’t get down on myself, it just makes me want to get better and fortunately I really enjoy practicing the short game. It is a whole lot of fun!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Joshuaplaysgolf
    
    Sep 5, 2015 at 12:14 pm
    
    Hahaha, zombie golfers is a wonderful analogy. I’m glad I’m not the only one who practices that way. I had to stop using the chopping green at my home course because they put 200 range balls out for people to use. Most people seem to like to hit as many as possible onto the green and just walk away as if they were the only one who wanted to practice there. I play golf, not billiards. And why in the world would you practice using range balls? Do you play with the anime practice ball? I also love the guys who stand literally 5 feet off the green to hit their 10 million identical shots. Really? How often do you miss the green by 5 feet, and in the fringe? It just isn’t practical, and I don’t understand where the perception that this is effective comes from. Fortunately I have found a close by course with easily the best short game facility I’ve ever seen…and they don’t put range balls out. I agree that the short game is a ton of fun to practice. There’s so much room for creativity and mental stimulus to figure out how to get yourself up and down…but you actually have to utilize that opportunity.
    
    Reply Report comment
btv

Sep 4, 2015 at 8:54 pm

I still don’t think this accurately represents your “median” ability when it comes to the course. Even with hitting 5 shots to 3 targets… once you hit one you will naturally compensate with the next one. I think this may be a viable activity for skills training but not measuring your ability to get up and down.

Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Instruction

How to play your best golf when the temperature drops

Published

3 months ago

Feb 3, 2026

Brendon Elliott

The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.

“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.

If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.

Understand What Cold Does to Your Game

Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.

Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.

Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.

Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing

Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.

Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.

Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.

Take More Club Than You Think You Need

This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.

The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.

Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.

Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens

Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.

Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.

Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.

Embrace the Mental Challenge

Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”

That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.

Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.

Warm Up Longer and Smarter

This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.

Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.

The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

Instruction

3 lessons from Brooks Koepka that’ll actually lower your score

Published

3 months ago

Feb 2, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.

So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.

Stop Overthinking Every Shot

Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.

This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.

How to actually do this:

On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.

Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.

If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.

This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.

Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)

Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.

Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:

Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.

Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.

Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.

Save Your Best for When It Counts

Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.

How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.

Here’s what actually works:

Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.

Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.

Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.

The Bottom Line

Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.

You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.

Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.

Instruction

What we can learn from Blades Brown’s impressive American Express performance

Published

3 months ago

Jan 29, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.

Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.

Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee

Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.

Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.

Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.

The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.

Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens

This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.

How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.

Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.

Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.

When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.

Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient

Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.

He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.

Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.

Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.

Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.