One reason to work on your “short game” is because it will take pressure off of your “long game”. The “chip shot” is a common shot used around the green and is defined as a shot where the ball flies 1/3 of the way and rolls like a putt the other 2/3rds. Keeping in mind that the safest thing a ball can do is roll, here are 3 set-up keys that will cause your ball to roll.

1st- make sure you play the ball in the back of your stance

2nd- start and keep about 75% of your body weight on your front leg throughout the stroke.

3rd- set your hands ahead of the club-head at address and keep that angle through impact.

This set-up works for short, medium, and long chips. My general rule is if the pin is positioned in the front of the green, I chip with a sand wedge, if in the middle, I use a PW or 9-iron, and in the back I select a 7 or 8 iron. Remember, I can provide you the technique, but only practice, will give you the “proper feel” with each club. Happy Chipping!

Doug shows how to hit out of an Uphill bunker lie.

Golf is definitely a game of targets. From the tee its usually the fairway, from the fairway its the green, when pitching it could be a 15 ft. circle around the pin, when chipping maybe a 5 ft. circle, when putting its usually the cup!! Notice the smaller “target circle” in the photo; for this chip shot that small circle is my target. If I can chip to that target then my ball should wind up next to the pin. The point is your “great players” always have specific targets for each shot. Unfortunately, for most amateurs, the GOLF BALL is their target. Placing your focus on the ball restricts the proper motion necessary to hit the ball down your target line and finish properly. Remember the golf swing is a full circle and the goal should be to hit “through the ball”, not “to the ball”! Whether I’m hitting a full shot, pitching, chipping or putting, my focus is always on a specific target! Remember, your golf ball is NOT your TARGET. Now go practice your full motion.

1. Presents perfect arena to develop new personal relationships
2. Creates quality time for family and friends
3. Golf is a challenging and rewarding sport
4. Keeps you humble ( we only borrow the game, we never own it)
5. Good exercise(especially if you walk)
6. Great atmosphere to build new and grow existing business relationships
7. A game for a lifetime
8. Builds and tests your character
9. Always surrounded by beauty and nature
10. Can play, compete and enjoy the game with players at many different levels

1. Your “golf game” is really growing when good “course management” decisions are as exciting as good shots.
2. Golf and life are about making good decisions, good choices. The key is when making one, commit to it. Many bad shots in golf or failures in life are because of indecision.
3. I’ve given over 22,000 lessons and hundreds of golf clinics and I’ve never seen a player lift their head; so why is the most popular statement in golf “keep your head down”.
4. If you focus on the fundamentals, then each new season your game will only require a tune-up, not an overhaul.
5. Too many thoughts during a learning session can cause paralysis by analysis. Your mind can retain many thoughts, your body can’t.