I had a couple requests asking for a way to evaluate the short game.  Here is a test that does just that.   It is called the Jerry Tucker Short Game Test. 

First, we start with wedge play.

The player will hit 5 shots from each of 5 distances; 30yds, 45yds, 60yds, 75yds and 90yds.  The shots should be hit from good fairway lies.  For the 30 and 40yd shot the player is trying to land the ball within a 6′ diameter circle and a 9′ diameter circle for 60, 75 and 90yd shots.  This is landing distance only with the flagstick in the middle of the circle.  The instructor will estimate and write down the distance from the stick the ball landed.  There is a possible 25 possible points with 1 point given for each shot landing in the zone.   The instructor will also determine the average distance from the hole for all 25 shots to create the Average Putt length(40 feet is the highest distance to be used for distance from stick).  The points will be converted into a handicap which is averaged with the Average Putt length handicap to come up with the wedge play handicap.

For example: a zero handicap would be 13 points with an average of 8.5 feet Average Putt length.

Next is sand play.  5 shots from 3 distances this time and the flag should be place on the outer edge of the circle.  Smooth level lie should be used when conducting this test.  The three distances are 20 feet to a 4 foot diameter circle, 40 feet to a 6 foot diameter circle and 60 feet to an 8 foot diameter circle.  Remember, flag should be on outer edge of circle farthest from player.

Possible 15 points  with 1 point counting for each shot landing  in the zone(not ending in the zone).  Keep track of points and Average Putt length as described in the wedge play section(30 feet is the highest distance to be used for distance from stick).  The points will be converted into a handicap which is averaged with the Average Putt length handicap to come up with the sand play handicap.

For example: a zero handicap would be 9 points with a 6 foot Average Putt length.

Pitching is next.  Drop 5 balls 50 feet from one of the holes giving them at least 20 feet of green to work with and another 5 balls to a hole 75 feet away with at least 25 feet of green to work with.  Ask them to play the ball as it lies and 1 point is awarded for each shot ending within 5 feet of the hole for the 50 footer and 7.5 feet for the 75 footer.  Keep track of points and compute Average Putt length for all 10 shots(30 feet is the highest distance to be used for distance from stick).  Handicap determined as above.  Points handicap averaged with Average Putt length handicap.

For example: a zero handicap is 7 points and an Average Putt length of 6.5 feet.

Chipping.  Place 5 balls at 40 feet and 60 feet in various but good lies.  Use a 9 iron for the 40 footer and a 7 iron for the 60 footer.  1 point is awarded for shots ending within 4 feet for the 40 footer and 6 feet for the 60 footer.  Keep track of points and compute Average Putt length for all 10 shots(30 feet is the highest distance to be used for distance from stick).  Handicap determined as above.  Points handicap averaged with Average Putt length handicap.

For example: a zero handicap will score 8 points with an Average Putt length of 3 feet 3 inches.

Trouble Shots.  Try to select 5 short trouble shots with these recommendations.  1) 20 footer up against the fringe, 2) 40 footer off a bare lie, 3) 20 footer in a clumpy lie, 4) 40 footer from very heavy grass and 5) 75 footer opposite handed or backhanded as if up against a tree.  Points are awarded for shots that end within 15% of the total distance for first 4 shots and 20% of the total distance for the 75 footer.  Keep track of points and compute Average Putt length for all 5 shots(30 feet is the highest distance to be used for distance from stick).  Handicap determined as above.  Points handicap averaged with Average Putt length handicap.

For example: a zero handicap will score 3 points with an Average Putt length of 5.5 feet.

Short Putting.  4 putts from each of 5 lengths at the points of the compass on a slightly breaking pin position.  The lengths are 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 feet.  1 point is awarded for each putt holed.  Add up points for made putts out of a possible 20.

For example: a zero handicap scores 15 points.

Long Putting.  5 putts from 20 feet. 1 point is awarded for each putt made or comes to rest in the 17 inch safety zone.  Meduim difficulty putt.  Safety zone defined as a half circle with a 17 inch radius located on the far side of the hole.  Typical Pelz zone.   5 putts from 40 feet.  Difficult putt either downhill or sidehill within 3 feet of hole in any direction.  Lastly, 5 putts from 60 feet.  Level or slightly uphill within 3 feel of hole in any direction.  1 point is awarded for all putts made or ending within the zones.

For example:  a zero handicap scores 10 points.

Add up the total number of points and compute the toal Average Putt length from all the iron shots.  These numbers are converted to a handicap and averaged to get the players Short Game Handicap.  I won’t be posting the conversion chart but if anyone takes the test on their own and sends me the results, I’ll be happy to compute your handicap for you.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions.