Seve had a few keys that helped him hit some solid shots.
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Golf instruction is always changing, but the best advice is timeless. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we highlight the greatest pieces of advice from teachers and players in the pages of GOLF Magazine. This week, we’re revisiting Seve Ballesteros’ easy keys for solid photos from our March 1983 issue. For unlimited access to GOLF Magazine’s digital archive, join Inside GOLF today; you’ll enjoy $140 worth for just $39.99 per year.
Having a strong short game is a huge asset. If you can go up and down in difficult places, you are not really out of a hole.
Perhaps no one in the professional game has exemplified this fact better than Seve Ballesteros. Over the course of his career, the five-time MVP got out of many fights with his magical short game. Even now several decades later, his magic is the stuff of legend around the world.
If you’re looking to improve your short game, there’s no better person to model your approach than Ballesteros. Back in 1983, he joined GOLF Magazine sharing a few of her secrets for strong photos, which you can check out below.
Seve’s basics
Getting your game back in shape for the start of the season is easier than you think, as long as you’re organized and keep your approach simple. The swing you use for pitches should be the same as you use for full shots, except for minor technical changes in body alignment and ball position.
It helps to divide your points into two categories – long and short. I usually use a pitching wedge to shoot from 80 to 110 yards and a sand wedge to shoot 80 yards or less. Your calculations may differ from mine, but know your comfortable size with each club so you can choose the right club.
A long voice
For long shots, use a slightly open stance, with the ball to the right of center, but keep the shoulders square to the target line. The open stance helps reduce the amount of body rotation in the backswing. Turns back about three-quarter length, direct control aid. A slightly open stance also helps you clear your left hip in the forward swing, even though the swing is shorter than normal.
A short pitch
For short distances of about 30 yards, stand with your shoulders, hips and feet open. Put more weight on your left foot. This setup greatly reduces body movement, so your body stays still, and you play the shot mainly with your hands and arms.
Learn Seve Ballesteros’ 3 clutch shots to make magic on the green
Zephyr Melton
After you’ve practiced these “standard” shots from a variety of distances, you’re ready to try a few simple variations. The position of the green pin often calls for a higher or lower shot than normal, and you should have these shots in your bag.
Attached pin
Say the pin is tucked behind the bunker in front of the green, you’ll need to play a higher than normal shot, which will sit a little longer and not go too far past the hole. I suggest you increase the effective loft of the club by playing the ball slightly forward in your stance. Place the weight in line with your right foot. On the downswing stay too far behind the ball. This way, you keep your weight on the right side and turn up at the end.
It is important to note that you must at least have a good lie to play a high pitch. Don’t play the ball forward without a lie, because you will tend to go too low or too high. Play the ball back as you would in a “normal” position to make sure you hit the ball hard, then let the ball finish past the pin.
Green to work with
Another common pin position is one where the pin is behind the green. This placement requires a low shot, which will run longer than usual and ensure that you will return the ball to the hole. To play a low pitch, place the ball back in the center. This low pitch is also useful for playing in the wind or trying to keep the ball under control in a windy environment.
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