Wedges
Beginner

Circle Up-And-Down Drill

Builds confidence and skill in short chips by simulating on-course pressure. By chipping to within a small radius of the hole from various angles, beginners develop touch and consistency.

Equipment Needed

Wedge (e.g., pitching or sand wedge)
Hula hoop or tees to mark a circle
Golf balls

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Place a hula hoop or lay a circle (about a 3-foot radius) around a hole on the practice green. If a hoop isn't available, imagine or mark a circle using tees.

2

Choose a spot a few yards off the green and hit a chip shot, aiming to get the ball to stop inside that circle (which represents a gimme range).

3

Move to different positions around the hole – include some uphill chips, downhill chips, and sidehill lies if possible. From each spot, attempt to chip the ball into the circle around the hole.

4

Count how many out of, say, 10 chips you can get to finish in the circle. Try to improve this score over time. This drill not only works on chip accuracy but also adds a game-like challenge to simulate saving par from off the green.

Professional Endorsement

Short-game guru Dave Pelz advocates drills that require a player to get chips within a three-foot circle to simulate tournament pressure. Many PGA Tour players routinely perform similar "around the green" challenges to keep their scrambling sharp.