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

How did Wyndham Clark win the U.S. Open? Two words: short game. So for amateurs who love to dash drivers at the range, here are some tools that will actually help you to lower you scores.

Riley Hamel

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.

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.

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.

Why Golf's Putting Thing Training Aid

Not only will this training aid help you bring the putter back and through on a better line, but it will force you to start each putt on the correct line. It's perfect to keep in your bag at all times.

$80

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*Every product is independently selected by editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

PuttOut's Devil Golf Ball

Not only does this ball help you improve your alignment to the golf ball, it forces you to hit the ball solidly, or it will immediately roll off-line.

$30

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Why Golf's Chipping Plate

If you chunk or blade every chip shot, this is the training aid for you. It forces you to keep your weight on your front foot, moving up the bottom of you swing arc so you hit ball first, then ground. This tool is money.

$60 (down from $80)

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