The New Rules of Golf Instruction Blog and Golf Tips

Chipping Like a Pro Golfer by Karen Nicoletti

Do you get up and down from off the green?

 

You might be asking yourself what does this mean. When one golfer says to another golfer "good up and down" it means that you were off the side of the green and you chipped the ball onto the green and made the putt. In Charlie's book "Golf's Red Zone Challenge" there is a great quote about chipping, "When you're a good chipper, chipping gives you par for a partner." 

 

A chip shot is defined as a low running shot, where a pitch shot is defined by more air time. A chip shot is necessary when you are only a few yards off the putting green. At the Reynolds Golf Academy we recommended a two club system, such as an 8 or 9 iron or a pitching wedge or sand wedge. Master two clubs so you can master distance control. You want to select a club which will allow for the ball to just carry onto the putting surface. How much green you have to work with will determine which club to use. Usually the rule of thumb is the further the flag is from the edge of the green, the less lofted of the two clubs you would choose. Everyone is different; it doesn't matter which two clubs you choose, one is not better than the other. Master those two clubs and it will build your confidence around the greens.  

 

Your number one priority in chipping is to hit the ball solidly. The majority of golfers try to lift the ball into the air and onto the green. This results in a scooping motion where your wrists bend upward and the club head gets in front of your hands. This may result in hitting it fat or topping it across the green. Other words in "golf launguage" associated to those bad shots are "chunking it" or "blading it". 

 

The keys to effective chipping are:

1. Have about 60% to 80% of your weight on your forward leg, the leg closest to the target. Keep the weight there throughout the swing; no weight shift.
2. Ball position is back of center.
3. Hands slightly forward.
4. The club is swung on an arc. Be careful not to take the club back to low or pick it up too sharply.
5. Maintain the same grip pressure throughout the shot.
6. Pick a spot where you want the ball to land, then release.

 

 

Remember practicing your chipping and becoming a solid ball striker can help your overall game. For more information on chipping and drills to help you improve please go to http://www.reynoldsgolfacademy.com/ and look at our series of video clips and sign up for our newsletter. We want you to be our next success story! If you have any questions please feel free to send me them at knicoletti@reynoldsplantation.com.

Check our Charlie's Chipping video below.

 

Happy Golfing!!

 

I Reveal Dr. Rick Jensen's SECRET Success Formula on Today's New Rules Golf School LIVE

We had some fun today talking about golfers reaching their potential and revealing Dr. Rick Jensen's Secret Success Formula.  I also told one of my favorite Harry Obitz stories and answered your questions.  Watch it and then pass it on to friends.

 

New Rules Golf School Live - Episode #3

 

For golfers who want to reach their potential and teachers who want to be the best!

 

1. New Rules Essentials - Reach Your Potential This Year
   1. Recommended Tony Robbins "Awaken the Giant Within"
   2. Recommended Dr. Rick Jensen - http://www.drrickjensen.com/
   3. Recommended "The Answer" by John Assaraff and discussed the power of the unconscious mind
   4. Discussed using a vision board

 

1. New Rules Mental Toughness
   1. Dr. Rick Jensen's Secret Success Formula

 

1. Story of the Week
   1. Harry Obitz "Every method is a glorified pitch shot"
   2. "I better not hear you're a method teacher"
   3. "Teach principles to golfers and not methods"

 

1. Questions and Answers
   1. Stack and Tilt
   2. Can you help me with my slice?
   3. I'm topping the ball

REMINDER: Join me Tomorrow at Noon edt (Feb.11) for Golf Show LIVE

The first two shows got some good reviews including "the best golf video I've ever watched".  Thank you for that great comment.  If you thought that was good, look out.  I'm just starting to get warmed up.  Type in or click on the ustream link www.ustream.tvand type New Rules Golf in the search function.  We will get started a couple of minutes after Noon edt.

New Rules Golf School Live

Segments

1. New Rules Essentials - We will talk about why this is your year to reach your potential.
2. New Rules of Mental Toughness - a formula that will give you a road map for this year.
3. Story of the Week
4. I answer your questions - this has been extremely popular and I am trying to get caught up with the many responses.

 

Putting Tips, Mental Toughness, Answers to Your Questions, New Rules Golf School Live #2

I covered putting, mental toughness, a Craig Shankland story and answered questions that pertain to your game. The sound cut out a few times.  I apologize in advance. 

 

New Rules Golf School Live Episode 2

 

1. Opening - The show for golfers who want to reach their potential and

      teachers who are striving for the highest standard

 

2. Segment 1 – Recap 2010 PGA Merchandise Show
1. Thursday – New Rules of Golf Instruction talk for the LPGA Teaching Division and Golf Magazine Top 100 Reception
2. Friday – EWGA Breakfast with LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan and meeting with PGA of America
3. Saturday – Walking the floor looking for new golf training aids

 

3. Segment 2 – New Rules Short Game
1. Describe how to use the New Rules Putting Edge Training Aid
2. Discussed head tilt and position for seeing the line

 

4. Segment 3 – New Rules of Mental Toughness
1. Identity – the most powerful force in your psyche
2. Guidelines for choosing the beliefs about yourself

 

5. Segment 4 – Weekly Story
1. Craig Shankland and the Happy Caddie game

 

6. Segment 5 – Answer Viewer Questions

 

7. Conclusion – Tune in next Thursday at Noon for Episode 3 for New Rules Golf School Live!

 

 

 

 

 

 

REMINDER: New Rules Golf School LIVE #2 Today at Noon EST

Join me today at Noon EST for our 2nd episode of New Rules Golf School Live.  Go to www.ustream.tv and type "New Rules golf" into the search function.  More information about how to reach your potential and I continue to answer your questions.

PGA Merchandise Show Yields a Few New Interesting Items

This was my 21st PGA Merchandise Show starting with my first in 1989.  The heyday of the Show was in the '90's culminating with the Show in 1999 spurred on by the .com boom.  The place was buzzing like never before and the money was flowing from Silicon Valley and Wall Street.  The .com bust took place in 2000 and the PGA sold the Show to Reed Expositions.  Reed raised the prices and the big club manufacturers pulled out.

The PGA Merchandise Show has never quite been the same since then, but it still has plenty to look at and it brings the golf industry together for 4 days.

I spoke to the LPGA Teaching Division about the New Rules on Thursday and met with the PGA of America about a national Red Zone Challenge on Friday.  I hit the Show floor on Saturday and found a couple of items that might be of interest to you.  I have the URL's listed below.

1. www.proplaygps.com is a portable video unit that allows you to videotape yourself easily and then play it back and upload it to your computer.  Very convenient and a reasonable price.
2. www.zelocity.comhas lower priced radar devices to measure ball speed or clubhead speed.  This could be a great practice device to measure the consistency of your rhythm and distance control.
3. www.eyelinegolf.comspecializes in putting training aids.  They have a heavy ball to practice hitting the ball solid.  The owner, Sam Froggatte is a great person and over delivers on his promises.
4. www.morodz.com has good prices on alignment aids.
5. www.gripitrite.comhas a training aid for grip developed by Canadian National Golf Coach and New Rules contributor, Henry Brunton.  It fits on your golf club and gives you the feel of where your hands should be.

A couple of these items can certainly improve your game.