Chipping: How to get it Close
Make everything inside 3 feet a gimme!
Take Inventory of Your Equipment
Why Golf is Such a Great Family Activity

Chipping: How to get it Close
Christopher Foley, Madden's
One of the quickest and easiest ways to lower you scores and handicap is to become a better chipper. Becoming proficient from off the green will not only lower your scores, it translates into better iron play. When a player has the confidence that he can get the ball “up and down” from off the green, their iron play becomes better because they aren’t afraid to miss the green.

There are several keys to better chipping.

Let the shot dictate the club selection.
We have more control of the golf ball when it is on the ground, not in the air. When chipping the golf ball we want to get the golf ball on the ground and rolling as soon as possible. As such, the amount of green we have to work with should determine the club we select. The more green we have between us and the hole, the lower lofted club we should use. The less green there is between the ball and the hole, the more lofted the club we should use. We can chip with anything from a 6 iron through sand wedge. As a general rule of thumb, the ball should be in the air one third of the time and on the ground two thirds of the time.

The set-up.
Most of the errors that are made in hitting a chip shot are as a result of a poor set-up. First, grip down slightly on the handle of the club. Second, narrow your stance so that the outside of your feet are no wider that the outside of your shoulders. Third, place about 85% of your weight on your foot closest to the target and move the ball position to the back third of your stance. Finally, make sure the club face is aligned square to the target line.

The Stroke.
The biggest mistake most people make when chipping is to not use their wrist. In an efficient chipping stroke the wrist hinge slightly as the arms lift in the back swing. This allows the player to gain leverage in the down swing.

Use a short, brisk, accelerated stroke through the ball, making sure the club is taken away at the same angle as it is at address. In the back swing the wrist hinge slightly and in the down swing the hinge is maintained, not letting the club head pass the hands prior to impact. In the follow through, the lead arm and the shaft of the club should be in a straight line.

The goal is to the hit the ball close enough to the hole to make the next putt. Follow these procedures and your scores will start to fall.

Make everything inside 3 feet a gimme!
Mike Stone, Crosswoods Golf

How often do you miss the dreaded three footer? Here's six simple drills to
improve consistency and confidence for short range putts.

1) Practice putting from three feet with your eyes closed, listening for the
ball to rattle in the cup This will build up your trust that the putts will
fall.

2) Practice stroking your putter several times without a ball. Then, draw a
dot on a ball and putt, watching the dot to see that the ball is rolling
end-over-end, evidence of solid contact.

3) It's key to accelerate through the ball and not "quit" at impact. Try
aiming for the back of the cup, making an assertive stroke. After impact,
think of pushing the ball all the way to the hole with your follow through.

4) To improve aim, putt "side saddle" (both feet pointing toward the
target), so you're looking at the cup with both eyes equally.

5) Be sure to take the putter head back and through at the same distance;
this will improve your tempo.

6) Have fun practicing! Play a round of mini-golf. This will provide a
unique opportunity to practice short putts without feeling like practice.

Take Inventory of Your Equipment
Eric Peterson, The Pines at Grand View Lodge
When was the last time you took inventory of your golf equipment? This is one of the most neglected areas for many golfers. The Spring is a great time for you to take inventory of the condition and proper fit of your equipment. It is simple to do and can lead to immediate game improvement.
Grips
Do you still have the original grips from when you purchased your clubs? If yes, how old are those clubs? I was playing with a friend and suggested that he get his clubs regripped and he said “I just got these clubs,” and as he thought back it had been 8 years. I would recommend that you have your grips replaced at least every 2 years. You will see a noticeable difference which will make an immediate impact. The two year minimum applies even if you don’t play that often. Your grips are very sensitive to the elements. For instance, do you leave your clubs in your car trunk?, or are your clubs stored for the winter in the garage? These dramatic temperature changes often cause more wear and tear on your grips than does playing. Replacing your grips is simple and relatively inexpensive. Many golf courses and stores offer this service for $5-8 per club.
Are your clubs properly fit?
This is an area that you should receive assistance from a PGA Professional. Following are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if you have clubs that are properly fit? Are the clubs you are using purchased directly off the rack or are they hand me downs? (no club fitting done). Since you purchased the clubs, have you undergone a change in your swing? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, it is time for you to have a PGA Professional check your equipment. The areas that are looked at include grip size, shaft flex & type, lie angle, length, and clubhead type. If even one of these factors is not fitted properly, it can lead too less then optimal results. I have found that most golfers’ equipment is incorrect in at least 3 of the 6 areas of fitting. How can you expect to have success hitting the golf ball if you are using improperly fit equipment. I would compare it to a marathon runner wearing shoes that are two sizes to small. It only takes a short time to determine if your clubs are properly fit and the difference it will make is dramatic.
Other Equipment to consider
Other equipment to consider are your shoes and the ball you are using. When was the last time you replaced your spikes? You may be surprised if you look at the bottom of your shoes. The rubber spikes are designed to last approximately 20 rounds. This means they should be replaced a couple of times a year.
The golf ball that you use can also effect your game. There are more golf balls on the market today than at any other time in history. Each ball has been designed with different characteristics to enhance your golf game. If you are using the wrong ball, it can hurt your chances of playing successfully.
Take the time to inventory the condition and fit of your equipment this Spring and you will be on your way to having a successful 2004 golf season.

Why Golf is Such a Great Family Activity
Wildwedge Family Golf Park
As parents we can help our kids learn to play, have fun and make golf a family sport. Teach your kids to play and have them learn proper fundamentals early. Make sure they know the rules, etiquette and sportsmanship so they appreciate the game of golf, not just the sport. Play with them but also encourage them to play alone or with friends so they learn independence from you on the golf course. Sign them up for tournaments early. They will learn how much fun competitive golf can be and learn the importance of honesty and sportsmanship. Make golf a part of family vacations so the whole family experiences playing a new course at the same time.
I truly believe golf is one of the best ways to spend time with your family together. You learn values and judgments about yourself and can pass them on to your kids. Help them learn that cheating is wrong and will get you no where in life or on the golf course. Show them hard work pays off and rewards you in wonderful ways. Cheer them on when they do well. Help them when they need it. Tell them that you love playing with them and can't wait to do it again. How we play golf is a reflection of how we live our lives. We can pass on some wonderful qualities to our kids by just going out and playing nine holes together every once in a while.
And it’s a great activity for moms to get involved in. As a mom of two boys, one just entering his teens, it is a great common interest we can do together during a time when there are not always a lot of things teenage boys and moms often have in common. Now we have something we can do together for the rest of our lives.