< ?php _e('Golf Fundamentals'); ?>

< ?php _e('Path Pro Training Aid’); ?>

We’re working hard to get the new site up and running… and it should be going in a couple of days. In the meantime, I wanted to toss a post up to give you guys something new to read… so here goes.

Two Great Shots to Lower your Score

The Putt-Chip

This little shot is nearly foolproof, and with some practice it can become a very useful tool in your arsenal of shots around the green. The technique is quite similar to a putting stroke however; it’s performed with a 5 iron - PW. This shot should be used when your right off the putting surface and have some green to work with. Choke down on your iron, and grip it with your normal putting grip. The ball should be in the center of your stance, now, the stroke is all in your shoulders – no wrists whatsoever. Pretend you’re putting the ball with your iron, the loft of the club will get the ball to clear over the longer grass, and gets it rolling almost as soon as it hits the putting surface. With practice you will be able to use this simple shot in a variety of situations… and with a variety of clubs to vary the distance in which the ball needs to roll. Remember, this stroke is all in your shoulders, there is no use for your wrists whatsoever.

The Chip-Putt

Another cool little shot from a similar position as the putt-chip, it involved using your putter with a chipping stroke. This particular shot is most commonly used when the ball is sitting down in the rough just off the green. An iron can quite often get caught up in the deep grass – and thus cause inconsistency. The putter, although an unlikely choice of club in this situation, has an interesting advantage over your irons. With a buried lie in the rough, the putter blade will only make contact with the top half of the ball… this will impact top spin that will pop the ball up from it’s lie and get it rolling quickly.

To perform this shot, you need to setup with your putter, but in a chipping stance. Play the ball slightly back in your stance, and set your wrists ahead of the ball at address (use a forward press). Make a short stroke that digs into the back of the ball with no follow-through, it should pop up, and hit the green with top spin. With some practice, you get a feel for how the ball will react when it hits the green with the top spin – and you’ll soon be able to control the distance it travels.

I hope you guys give these shots the next time you’re on the range – they can really help take your short game and your handicap to new levels.

Give it a try!

Season Greetings,

I want to wish you all a safe and joyous holiday season with your families this year, and a prosperous New Year.

There are big changes happening to the site in 2009 - including a merger over to SirShanksAlot.com… the new site will be up and running soon into the new year, and the new features and design will be very something special. We’re working hard to get it ready for you.

Looking forward to seeing you there.