What Amateur Golfers Can Learn From Wyndham Clark’s U.S. Open Win

It’s called the driving range for a reason, right? Stretch the back a few times, grab the big-stick, and smash away on driver until the sun goes down. I have nothing against, if that’s what makes you a happier golfer, by all means. But if you want to get better, if you want to break 100, 90, or 80 for the first time, your time can be used more efficiently.

Don’t believe me? Just look at Wyndham Clark’s win at Shinnecock Hills over the weekend.

Scoring better, avoiding blow-ups, and staying in the game resides in one key area many amateur golfers neglect time and time again—everything inside 100 yards.

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Clark put on a stripe-show over the first two days. An opening-round 64—admittedly aided by a late-afternoon break from the wind—and a solid 69 (nice) in breezy conditions on Friday. But when the weekend came and it was time to put the tournament away, his short game kept him separated from the field on Saturday and helped seal the deal a day later.

He hit just nine greens during round three, but made par putts from seven-, five-, seven-, five-, six-, and 14-feet to get it in the house with an even-par 70. On Sunday, he hit 11 greens, but made par putts of 15 and 10 feet, among others, to never give away his lead. And mixed in with all those rolls were clutch chips to give him a shot at saving strokes.

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Did he get some great breaks along the way, too? Of course. To win a major championship, hell, any golf tournament for that matter, luck has to be on your side. But as Gary Player once said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

So, if Clark’s win has finally inspired you to work on your short game, I found a few great training aids that will help you do just that.