SHORT GAME

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PUTTING  -  CHIPPING  -  PITCHING  -  BUNKER PLAY

I am a strong advocate of the Linear Approach, developed by renowned short-game specialist Gary Smith. Gary served as an England Golf Union Elite Coach for fourteen years and has played a significant role in the development of players such as Tommy Fleetwood, Danny Willett, Justin Rose and many others. An accomplished player himself, Gary has earned a worldwide reputation as one of the leading short-game coaches. I’ve been extremely fortunate to spend many hours learning the Linear Approach directly from him.

Gary has kindly said:

“ Now retired, I recommend you visit my good friend and top PGA coach Peter Hollington at Bramley Golf Club, who has a thorough understanding of the Linear Approach.”
— Gary Smith

So, what is the Linear Approach?

Set-Up

  • Stand square (or slightly closed) with the lead foot rotated up to 45° towards the target to allow for a natural body turn through impact.

  • Adopt a tall, athletic posture with freely hanging arms and approximately 75% of your weight on the lead ball of the foot.

  • Use a neutral grip with minimal pressure: 1/10 in the top hand and 2/10 in the lower hand.

  • Position the ball just inside the lead heel, directly beneath the chin/sternum.

  • Set the shaft at 90° to the ball-to-target line, sitting just behind the chin/sternum. Avoid forward shaft lean to encourage the use of the club’s bounce—what I prefer to call the sole slider—and to prevent digging with the leading edge.

The Motion

  • Rotate the hips and arms together in a synchronized motion, both back and through, allowing a slight pause at the top of the backswing.

  • Deliver the clubhead entirely with the bottom hand (right hand for right-handed golfers). The top hand becomes a passive passenger, never influencing the strike.

  • Do not steer or guide the club—release the clubhead freely along the ball-to-target line with relaxed, supple arms.

  • Allow the body and head to rotate through to face the target, finishing with your weight fully on the lead side.

The Result

A shallow, straight-to-target delivery produces a light bruise or graze on the turf with the sole of the club—never a deep divot. This increases forgiveness, reduces the risk of leading-edge digging, and provides far more margin for error.



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