TheThe 3 X 3 X 3 System 3 X 3 X 3 System

CraftSmith Golf AcademyJames Smith

Director of Instruction

Critical Learning FactorsCritical Learning Factors• Short game play is learned in a

systematic, stepwise building of concepts and skills to include:• Positive Mental Attitude … Expect to

Succeed Because … It’s Just a PuttIt’s Just a Putt• Control the Length of the Backswing• Control the rhythm of the swing• Control the direction of the Swingpath

Basic Concepts for Short Basic Concepts for Short Game PlayGame Play

• The purpose of using a systematic method is to:• Learn and use one swing technique to

produce a nearly unlimited variety of shots • Reduce (not eliminate) the need to

develop “touch and feel”. • Replace talent with by technique

whenever and wherever possible

Set-up the Shot Using the 5 Stanza Set-up the Shot Using the 5 Stanza Master Pre-swing RoutineMaster Pre-swing Routine

1. Behind the ball• Analyze, select and visualize

2. Practice swings3. Mechanical set-up to the ball• Point and paint• Club, grip, point, aim and hangle

4. Clear, Focus and Fire When Focused5. Analyze and reward

The Master Pre-Swing Routine is Taught in Detail The Master Pre-Swing Routine is Taught in Detail in Another Presentationin Another Presentation

Execution of the 3 X 3 X 3 Execution of the 3 X 3 X 3 SystemSystem

• It’s just a putt … use slightly modified stroke mechanics used for a lag putt (putting putting should be taught firstshould be taught first)

• Use the Master Pre-Swing Routine …• the MPSR integrates every shot into one

systematic whole game approach• The MPSR allows you to learn less, practice

less and to do more• Read the Break and Adjust Your

Intermediate Aim Point

How the 3 X 3 X 3 System How the 3 X 3 X 3 System WorksWorks

• Objectives / Rules for Short Game Play• Land the ball safely on the green • Get the ball on the ground and rolling

as soon as possible• Aim every shot at an Intermediate

Aiming Point• Hit every shot firmly

How the 3 X 3 X 3 System How the 3 X 3 X 3 System WorksWorks

• Definitions of the Various Short Game Shots• Chip … a shot played from the near

fringe area of the green• You deliberately play the shot on a low

trajectory for the purpose of making the ball run farther than it flies

Critical ConceptsCritical Concepts• There is no such thing as a finesse” shot

for an amateur golfer … • Muster up the courage to swing firmly on

every shot … Slow AND Go stroke rhythm• Accept the possibility of hitting the ball past

the hole in favor of consistent performance!

• Technique is more important than talent …• Learn to execute one simple swing technique• Control the shot by selecting the correct club

and strategic technique.

Types of Greenside ShotsTypes of Greenside Shots• Putting Chip … a chip strategy used when you have

“finesse” target and you have a good lie• Basic Chip … the standard strategy for shots played

from the near fringe area when controlling the distance the ball rolls is the key

• Basic Pitch … the standard strategy for shot played from 5-40 yards away from the green when controlling the distance the ball flies is the key

• Lob/Cut Lob … a specialty shot played from near the green when the ball must carry and obstacle and the distance it rolls must be controlled

Each Shot Requires Progressively More SkillEach Shot Requires Progressively More Skill

Control Multiple VariablesControl Multiple Variables• The general goal is to see, intellectually

understand and systematically execute, the great variety of shots needed for short game play.• Increase both the rate and depth of

skill learning, which leads to higher levels of on course performance• Gain a higher level of confidence,

which leads to relaxed and improved performance

““In-Between” Variables for theIn-Between” Variables for the3 X 3 X 3 System3 X 3 X 3 System

When you have a “tweener” that When you have a “tweener” that does not go the exact distance you does not go the exact distance you have practiced or when you “feel” have practiced or when you “feel” the need for a little more or less … the need for a little more or less … NEVER finesse the shot; change NEVER finesse the shot; change your pre-swing to match the needyour pre-swing to match the need

““In-Between” Variables for theIn-Between” Variables for the3 X 3 X 3 System3 X 3 X 3 System

•Grip Length •Short produces less force

because of the shorter lever•Long produces more force;

BOTH with the same swing motion/pressure

““In-Between” Variables for theIn-Between” Variables for the3 X 3 X 3 System3 X 3 X 3 System

• Backswing Length • 7-8 o’clock is a soft area, not a hard

point• Let your inner sense of “feel” control

the length of the backswing • Grip Pressure• Soft for shorter shots• Firm for longer shots

Club SelectionClub Selection• Change clubs, not

your swing• SW … 8I … 5I

(8° between clubs can be produced by skipping two clubs in the series

Putting ChipPutting Chip• Definition• Club Selection• Execution

• This window will contain a video demonstration

The Putting ChipThe Putting Chip• When you have a good lie

and can get the club under the ball, and when you are faced with a “finesse” shot, then use any of the selected clubs like a putter

• The ball will come off the face very softly … you must make a commitment to “strike the ball”

SetupSetup

•Ball position middle-forward•Hands even with ball, shaft

vertical•Shoulders closed to closed

relative to intended target line

Swing ExecutionSwing Execution

•Minimum wrist action … putt the ball with a lofted club• Backswing Length … 7-8

o’clock• Swingpath Direction: Inside to

Square to Inside

The Basic Chip ShotThe Basic Chip Shot• Club Selection: SW – 8I – 5I• Goal: One swing using different

clubs to produce multiple shots• Setup• Ball position forward•Hands even with ball, shaft vertical• Shoulders closed to closed relative

to intended target line

Strategy for Chip ShotsStrategy for Chip Shots

Swing ExecutionSwing Execution• Click anywhere on the picture to watch the video Click anywhere on the picture to watch the video • The video will continuously loop … you may press the left mouse button to pauseThe video will continuously loop … you may press the left mouse button to pause

• Click anywhere on the slide, outside of the video to continue to the next slideClick anywhere on the slide, outside of the video to continue to the next slide

Basic ChipBasic Chip• Definition• Club Selection• Execution

The Pitch ShotThe Pitch Shot• Club Selection: PW - SW – LW• Goal: Three basic ball flight

distances (short, medium and long pitches) produced using three defined backswing lengths• Limited selection of clubs (PW –

GW – LW) to produce some intra-distance variation in trajectory

Strategy for the Basic Strategy for the Basic Pitch ShotPitch Shot

Setup for the Pitch ShotSetup for the Pitch Shot

• Ball position middle/forward•Hands even with ball, shaft

vertical to minimum forward press•Shoulders slightly open relative

to intended target line•Clubface slightly open relative to

intended target line

Swing Execution of the Basic Swing Execution of the Basic PitchPitch

• Limited wrist action … dead hands, up and down, arm and shoulder swing• Backswing Length …

• Short Pitch (10-15 yard ball flight, 5 yards of roll) … 8 – 9 o’clock; hands move past your knee and are lower than your belt

• Medium Pitch (15-25 yard ball flight, 5 yards of roll) … 9-10 o’clock; hands rise to just above your belt and are lower than your chest

• Long Pitch (25 -40) yard ball flight, 5 yards of roll) … 10-11; hands rise to shoulder high with NO wrist cock

Swing Execution of the Basic PitchSwing Execution of the Basic Pitch• The length of the forward swing is always

longer than the length of the backswing• There is no deliberate attempt to make the ball

stop rolling • As the distance from the intermediate landing

point increases, the trajectory also increases.

Basic PitchBasic Pitch• Definition• Club Selection• Execution

• This window will contain a video demonstration

Lob/Cut LobLob/Cut Lob• Definition• Club Selection• Execution

• This window will contain a video demonstration

SetupSetup•Ball position middle-back•Hands ahead of the ball, shaft is

forward pressed•Shoulders slightly open to

square relative to intended target line•Clubface slightly open to square

relative to intended target line

Swing ExecutionSwing Execution• Minimum wrist

action … putt the ball with a lofted club• Backswing Length

… 7-8 o’clock• Swingpath

Direction: Inside to Square to Inside

Expected RollExpected Roll•A steeper angle of descent and a

natural, but slight increase in backspin causes all pitch shots to all pitch shots to roll about the same distanceroll about the same distance•The distance the ball rolls will vary slightly from one player

• Swingpath Direction: Inside to square to inside

The Lob ShotThe Lob Shot•Club Selection: SW – LW•Setup•Ball position forward•Hands even with ball, shaft vertical•Shoulders closed to closed relative to intended target line

Swing ExecutionSwing Execution• MinimumMinimum wrist action

… putt the ball with a lofted club• Backswing Length …

10-11 o’clock (3/4 backswing)• Backswing Rhythm …

lazy up; slow up and go• Swingpath Direction:

Inside to Square to Inside

The Knockdown ShotThe Knockdown Shot• Setup• Ball position middle-back• Hands ahead of the ball, shaft forward pressed• Shoulders slightly closed relative to intended target

line• Weight on the left side

• Goal: Low flying, controlled escape• Swing Execution• Minimum wrist action; Backswing Length … 9-10

o’clock• Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square; low

followthru• Expect the ball to hook!Expect the ball to hook!

The Punch ShotThe Punch Shot• Setup• Ball position middle-forward• Hands even with ball, shaft vertical• Shoulders slightly open relative to intended target

line; clubface slightly open• Weight evenly distributed left to right foot

• Goal: Higher flying, controlled escape• Swing Execution• Minimum wrist action; Backswing Length … 9-10

o’clock• Swingpath Direction: Inside to Square; low

followthru• Expect the ball to cut!Expect the ball to cut!