Learn to Scramble Like Jim Furyk

Scrambling is something of a lost art in the game of golf.  The term ‘scrambling’ generally refers to getting the ball up and down from around the green, but it can even mean recovering after hitting your ball into a bad spot off the tee.

While the ability to scramble can go a long way toward allowing you to post good scores, most golfers would rather practice their swing mechanics than work on the skills required to save strokes by getting up and down from all over the course.

One player who clearly understands the importance of scrambling is Jim Furyk.  Furyk has been one of the best players on the PGA TOUR for the last couple of decades, yet he doesn’t overwhelm anybody with his ball striking ability.  Of course, that is not to say that he is a bad ball striker – Furyk has tremendous control over the golf ball and can work it in a variety of directions.  However, when compared to his peers, Furyk is not going to be launching massive drives or hitting towering iron shots.  He plays a control and position game, and he plays it incredibly well.

If you are going to lower your golf scores on a consistent basis, learning how to scramble is something that should be at the top of your list.  So if you want to learn to scramble like Jim Furyk we suggest that you follow these simple tips and soon you’ll be turning those scramble opportunities from bogeys to pars.

Accept the Challenge

The first key to becoming a good scrambler is simply being up to the challenge.  Many golfers get frustrated and even angry when they hit their ball into a bad spot, so they aren’t mentally prepared for the challenge of getting the ball up and down.

When you see your ball miss the green and disappear into the rough or a bunker, you have to put a positive spin on it.  Look at it as an opportunity to show off your skills and save a tough par, rather than a disappointment because you hit a poor approach shot—or if nothing else you can look at is as a chance to further practice and improve your scrambling ability.

Bad shots happen to every single golfer in the world, and they are going to keep happening to you for as long as you play the game.  Getting down on yourself for a poor shot won’t solve anything – walk up to the ball, wherever it is, and embrace the challenge of getting it up and down.

Stay Below the Hole

It is almost always easier to play short shots uphill as opposed to downhill.  One of the keys to scrambling successfully is leaving your ball in a position that provides you with a decent chance to get the ball close to the hole.  The concept is similar to the way in which you work to position the cue ball for the next shot when shooting pool.

If you miss the green in a position that leaves you with a straight downhill chip out of deep rough, your chances of getting that ball up and down will be slim at best.  You can be sure that Jim Furyk takes the topography around the green into consideration when he is hitting approach shots – especially ones that are played from a long distance or from a poor lie.  Obviously he would prefer to hit the green whenever possible, but if the green is going to be missed, it is imperative to miss it in the right spot.

Learn a High Shot and a Low Shot

There are countless different ways to play your chip shots around the green.  You can use a sand wedge or lob wedge to toss your chip shots up in the air, or you can use an eight or nine iron to create a chip and run.  In reality, the possibilities for different chip shots that you can create is only limited to your imagination.

While it is a great idea to experiment in the short game to create your own shots, you should at least have a low shot and high shot at your disposal.  Whether you want to hit the shot low or high will depend on your lie, the slope of the green in front of you, the condition of the course, and more.  Instead of being stuck with only one option that you have to make work in every situation, have at least one high chip shot and one low chip shot that you are comfortable using.  With those shots in the bag, you will stand a better chance at getting up and down from even difficult locations.

Master Your Short Putts

The chip shot is only half of the scrambling equation.  Once you pitch the ball up somewhere near the hole, you have to finish the job by knocking in the putt.  Therefore, it’s imperative that you take the time to practice your short putts from five feet and in.

You should have extreme confidence in this area of your game, as it is called upon time and time again throughout every round.  The player who lacks confidence in his or her short putting will soon have that lack of confidence transfer to the rest of their game.  Try to finish every practice session with a series of short putts using drills like the Ladder or Death and Cross of Doom to build confidence that you can take with you out onto the course.

Learn from Your Mistakes

Although his swing may be less than conventional there is an one area where Jim Furyk sets a great example.  If you watch Furyk play, you will notice that after almost every shot he hits, he steps back and takes a second look after the ball has come to a stop.  When he does this, he is mentally reviewing the shot he just hit so he can gather information for next time.  He might not hit a perfect shot each time, but he is constantly learning from any mistakes that he makes.  Over time, the information that is gained from his mistakes allows him to sharpen his performance and become a better player.

His dedication to perpetual improvement is likely a big part of the reason Jim Furyk has remained competitive on the PGA TOUR well into his 40’s and if you would like to improve your game over the long run, you will learn to imitate Furyk’s dedication to learning from his mistakes.