Inside 100 Yards: The Scoring Zone That Separates Good Golfers from Great Ones
The scoring zone -- the area inside 100 yards from the pin -- is where rounds are won and lost. Most amateur golfers spend the majority of their practice time on the driving range hitting full shots. But the shots that have the greatest impact on their scores are the wedge shots, chips and pitches inside 100 yards. Improving your performance in this zone is the fastest route to lower scores.
Key Takeaways
- •The scoring zone inside 100 yards has more impact on your score than driving distance.
- •Carry three wedges to cover the full range of distances inside 100 yards.
- •Distance control is the most important skill inside 100 yards.
- •Use the least loft necessary to get the ball on the green and rolling toward the pin.
Why the scoring zone matters more than driving distance
A golfer who drives the ball 250 yards but has a poor short game will score worse than a golfer who drives it 220 yards but has an excellent short game. The reason is simple: every golfer hits the green in regulation less than 50 percent of the time. The short game determines what happens on the other 50 percent of holes.
The three wedge system
Most tour professionals carry three or four wedges to cover the distances from 40 to 120 yards. Amateur golfers often carry only one or two, leaving large gaps in their distance coverage. Having a pitching wedge, a gap wedge and a sand wedge -- each covering a specific distance range -- gives you a full shot for every distance in the scoring zone.
Distance control in the scoring zone
The most important skill inside 100 yards is distance control. A shot that finishes 20 feet from the pin leaves a difficult two-putt. A shot that finishes 5 feet from the pin leaves a makeable birdie putt. Distance control comes from consistent technique and knowing exactly how far each wedge travels at different swing lengths.
The mental approach inside 100 yards
Inside 100 yards, the target should be specific. Do not aim at the green -- aim at a specific spot on the green. The more specific your target, the better your distance and direction control will be. Visualise the ball landing on that spot and rolling to the pin before you play the shot.
Chipping strategy around the greens
The simplest and most reliable chipping strategy is to use the least loft necessary to get the ball on the green and rolling toward the pin. A putter from the fringe is often better than a chip. A bump-and-run with a 7-iron is often better than a lob wedge. Minimise the risk of a poor contact by keeping the ball low and rolling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many wedges should I carry?
Most golfers benefit from carrying three wedges: a pitching wedge (around 45 degrees), a gap wedge (around 50 to 52 degrees) and a sand wedge (around 56 degrees). This covers the full range of distances inside 100 yards.
What is the most important skill inside 100 yards?
Distance control. A shot that finishes close to the pin requires accurate distance control first, then direction control. Most amateur golfers focus on direction and neglect distance.