The One Short Game Shot Every Golfer Should Learn
(And No, It’s Not a Flop Shot)
Published by: Next Level Golf Academy
We coach for performance — not perfection.
Question for you:
What shot do you use just off the green — tight lie, uphill, maybe a little rough?
If your answer is a 60° wedge… it’s time to rethink that.
At Next Level Golf Academy, we teach every student a game-changing truth:
You don’t need magic hands.
You need one shot you can trust under pressure.
Let us introduce you to your new best friend:
The “Putt with Loft”
(aka: The most dependable short game shot in golf)
🏌️♂️ What It Is:
A putting-style stroke using a lofted club (usually 7–9 iron) to pop the ball just over the fringe and let it release to the hole.
Think: putting with training wheels — it gets airborne just enough, then rolls out.
💡 Why It Works:
Minimal technique needed
No risk of chunking or blading
Ideal on tight lies, fairway, or fringe
Pressure-proof under real playing conditions
✅ This is the shot we teach first — and most often — in our short game sessions.
Most Golfers Make Short Game Too Complicated
❌ They reach for lob wedges too often
❌ They try to “help” the ball in the air
❌ They have no default shot under pressure
❌ They don’t trust their contact
🎯 The Putt with Loft — Setup & Execution
✅ Setup:
Use a 7–9 iron
Narrow stance, weight slightly forward
Ball slightly back of center
Lean the shaft slightly forward
Grip it like a putter
✅ Stroke:
Rock your shoulders — like a putt
No wrist action
Smooth tempo
Focus on your pace spot, not the hole
✅ It’s simple, repeatable, and works under pressure.
When to Use It:
Tight lie just off the green
Fringe or fairway between ball and hole
Not much rough to carry
You need to take risk out of the shot
This is the go-to short game shot we teach to players from scratch golfers to 25 handicaps.
Want to Learn It On the Course?
At Next Level Golf Academy, we’ll show you exactly when and how to use the “putt with loft” in real game scenarios — not just theory.
🎯 Want to eliminate short game anxiety for good?
Book a FREE Game Plan Call
Let’s discuss the current state of your game and how good you want to get.
