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Best Golfers: Ranking the 10 greatest short games all-time

By Christopher O'Day

AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Mickelson (L) of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Mickelson (L) of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Gary Player of South Africa greets a young caddie during the 2014 Par 3 Contest prior to the start of the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2014 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Gary Player of South Africa greets a young caddie during the 2014 Par 3 Contest prior to the start of the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2014 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Best Golfers #6: Gary Player

Gary Player is one of the winningest golfers in history, with the third most professional wins of all time, totaling 164. Part of it is due to his incredible health and longevity. Part of it is also due to the fact that he is an all-time great around the green.

"“You want to improve your game? Practice from a hundred yards in. Jordan Spieth doesn’t hit the ball anywhere near Rory, Adam Scott or Jason Day, not in the same league. But he beats them (sometimes) because golf is played from a hundred yards in, bunker shots, chipping and putting.”"

They are wise words from Player, and ones that all golfers should take to heart. There are a ton of videos online of Gary Player explaining how important it is to be good and practice up close. Something you will hear him say quite often is “low for the dough, high makes you cry”. Toss out the wedges, and keep the ball low, unless you have something that you have to hit over.

Another way to look at it? Understanding that Player is a big fan and advocate of the chip and run.

The video is only 2-3 minutes, and it starts to explain why Player was so good for his whole career and able to conquer places like Augusta multiple times. He also addresses a point that many golfers struggle with. Deceleration. Under pressure, you decelerate.

When you lock up and swing stiff, without wrist movement, it can be easy to slow down as your swinging, leading to all kinds of bad shots. By hinging the wrists, it can alleviate this issue. Player mentions that all the great chippers out there, like Phil and Tiger, hinge their wrists.

As one of the winningest golfers ever, to go along with his nine major wins, Player knows his stuff. He has authored or co-authored 36 golf books. When it comes to a mix of great players, great short games, and great instruction on how to do it, look no further than Gary Player.

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