tips

Chipping In – What a Way to Lower your Score!

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Chipping In

Chipping is a quick way to lower your score!  However this is always easier said than done.  Every time a player steps over the ball they expect the rarest of results – a chip in.  How does one achieve this elusive feat?

I have heard and read many ways to effectively get the ball in the hole.  Use your 60 degree wedge; no, no, use your sand wedge it allows for better roll; wait, I thought that the 52 degree wedge was best…..or was that my pitching wedge…..mmmmm

Ultimately, the best club to use best the one you are most comfortable with.  If you consistently chip the ball short, then use a lower lofted club with the same stroke.  If you are consistently long, use a higher lofted club.  It sounds really easy, but most amateur golfers consistently use the same club over and over expecting different results – now that is the definition of insanity!

I like to use my 7 iron if I have no hazards to play over.  I find it rolls best for my stroke and I can hold it with my putter grip.  It allows for the touch I need to chip the ball in.  Normally, I am no more that 5 yards off the green when using my 7 iron (see the picture.  The dew line shows the result of my shot of the day).  Next, I like to use my 52 degree when I require a bit more loft and of course my 60 degree to flop the ball.  The 60 degree flop shot is always my last option because to the difficulty judging the distance.

What club do you like to use around the green?

Well there you have it.  It was wonderful on the course today.  I chipped in on the 17th hole and was grateful for the time spent on the links!

Dustin Johnson Wins for the 6th Time

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Dustin Johnson Wins St. Jude

Dustin Johnson waves to the crowd after finishing on the 18th hole during the final round of the St. Jude Classic. He shot 66 on Sunday to win the tournament at 9 under par. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Dustin Johnson played solid down the stretch.  He demonstrated that he is an elite player on the PGA tour.  His birdies on 16 and 17 vaulted him to the top of the leader board.

The collapse at the top of the leader board showed that all players must stay focused for the entire 18 holes.  But how can one keep their focus for 5 – 6 hours while people are taking your picture, shouting at you, wanting to shake your hand, and of course the millions of golfers watching on TV.

Each person must find their own way to stay focused.  I believe that the mental aspect of the game is directly related to what you do a few days before the tournament and what you do during the tournament.  Competitive-Golfer.com gives very good advice on how to prepare for a tournament.  I agree with most of what they suggest.  Each person has to find their own way to prepare, but physical fitness is the foundation to success on the links!  Enjoy hitting the links this week; the weather is going to be fantastic.

Thunder and Lightning

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Today was very interesting.  As I walked around the front nine, the weather was beautiful; the birds were singing; and the sun was beginning to rise.  It was the making of a beautiful day (well except for the 15 billion mosquitoes).  Walking towards the 10th hole it started.

Off in the distance, a low rumble was heard.  The clouds were getting dark, yet I hoped to squeeze the rest of the round in before the skies opened up.  All was going well although the rumbling was getting closer, but not a very fast pace.  As I walked off 13, it happened, a flash of lightning and a long low rumble of thunder.  Now the dilemma, should I stay or should I go?

Of course the correct answer is GO!  Lee Trevino has been hit by lightning several times.  He would say go as well.  Although Lee Trevino did say afterwards that if you get caught in a lightning storm hold a 1 iron over your head.  “Even god cannot hit a 1 iron”.  He is one of my favorite all time golfers.

Ultimately, it is not worth the risk.  On average, 44 people die from lightning strikes each year.  So my suggestion is that if the thunder and lightning are heading your way, do the smart thing and head to the club house and have a coffee.  Enjoy the links!

Skins Game!

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Today was an awesome time on the course.  Three of us hit the links and played a little skins game.  Funny thing is I had the best score and paid the most money.  That is the way it goes sometimes.  Don and Guy played really well and were able to squeeze out 6 and 7 skins respectively.  That left me with 5 skins.  Overall, it was a fun time on the course.

Don passed on a putting tip that I think is very basic and fundamental to proper alignment of your head over the ball.  He suggested that you line up over a putt as per normal.  Take a ball and put it right beside your right eye (if you put right-handed).  Drop the ball; if it hits the ball on the ground you are in the right position.  If not, you should adjust the position of your head, body or ball to make sure the proper alignment.

This tip allows of proper positioning of the head to ensure a smooth stroke on your chosen line.  It really works.

Best shot of the day went to Guy.  He hit a 5 wood 215 yards over a pond onto the green 8 feet away.  It was spectacular to watch.  Yes, he won a skin on that hole.

I hope the rest of my season was as much fun as today.  I am a grateful golfer.

Chip or Pitch

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As I approach each green, I am always faced with the dilemma of putting (which of course is always my first choice), chipping or pitching the ball.  Of course the your choice of the next stroke will depend on many factors: your lie, the distance between the ball and the green, hazards between your ball and the hole….etc.

Ultimately, my preference is to pitch the ball.  I believe the best course of action is get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible.  The convention that I have read is use an 8 iron for the greatest percentage of success.

I on the other hand like to use a 7 iron.  The 7 iron pitches the ball lower, provides better feel and ensures that the ball rolls the greatest distance on the green.   I hold it like a putter, swing it like a putter, and strike the ball with the same strength as I would with a putter.  With practice it has helped shave 2 strokes of my score.

Off to the links tomorrow, I am a grateful golfer.