Par-3 holes provide a place to practice your short game and sharpen your overall golf skills. (Clive Agran/WorldGolf.com)

Sharpen your short game on a par-3 golf course

By Karl Fischer,
Contributor

Some high-handicap golfers don't break 100 because they are weak on their short game. A good place to practice is a testy par-3 golf course.

Here, you will use mostly your seven-, eight- and nine-irons and your wedges. A round or two a week on this format will surely sharpen your skill with short irons.

Concentrate on the club selection and learn when to pitch and when to chip. Good shots make for easier putts and better scores.

Set up properly in comfort. See the ball come off the clubface, down the line to the pin. Think pin. It works better than thinking water or bush.

A little quick hint: Always tee up on a par 3. This allows you to strike the ball safely avoiding all-too-common thin hits.

Think positive. If you think you can, you will.

April 21, 2003

Karl Fischer has spent some 35-plus plus years teaching golf nationally and internationally earning the title of "IGAD-Doctorate," "CIMTP-Certified International Master Teaching Professional," "CMCB-Certified Master Club-Builder" and "CGC-Certified Golf Clinician." He has written six golf books, thousands of editorials, tips, "Bullet-Proof Drills" and much more. He can be reached at KF@555golf.com or by phone at (817) 673-8888.