Masterclass: No.6 Chipping without spin

Putt with a 7-iron, for example, from the fringe

Many amateur golfers lack the confidence to chip the ball with, for example, a wedge with a steep downward motion to impart check spin - they prefer to take a putter from well short of the green and risk a poor roll through thick grass.

Here's an alternative. When faced with a shot from off the green, reach for one of your 13 other putters instead.

Choose the one with the loft that you feel will lift the ball above the fringe and land it about three feet on the putting surface and then run to the hole.

Instead of thinking you are playing the shot with, say a 7-iron, feel you are merely putting the ball with a putter that has the loft of a 7-iron.

Use your putting grip on your lofted club

Grip the club in the same way you would grip your putter, stand to the ball the way you would if you were putting and putt the ball towards the hole. The ball will lift in a gentle arc, land and run towards the hole.

As with all these shots it demands a little practice, but you'll soon discover there are more ways to save your par than you first thought.

John Cook's short game clinics, which are running throughout the summer at The De Vere Belfry PGA Academy, near Sutton Coldfield, range from a full-day's coaching for £179 to two days of short game coaching, including accommodation and all meals from £335. For more information or to book, visit www.johncookgolf.com