Change your attitude about going into the sand. Here is a method and a formula for getting out of the sand around the greens more consistently. This formula can be used for uphill, downhill, sidehill and level sand shots. Match your address position to the lines. Draw these lines in the sand so that you can have a visual during practice.

The pictures illustrate that the club path is going between the shoulder line and the target line. To be successful at this you must make sure that your shoulder line and your target line are parallel. Your feet are the variable line. The higher you want to hit the shot, the more open to the target with your lower body and the more your clubface will be open. Make sure that your shoulders get back to parallel with your target line at address.

Swing the club more steeply by hinging the wrists early in your takeaway. On the forward swing, make sure that your lower body has cleared and your hands are leading the club into the sand behind the ball. Make sure you are accelerating through the sand. Like 99% of the shots in golf, you want to be balanced and clearly on your left side at your finish.

Formula – Shoulders and target line are parallel and the (lower body )feet are open to the target. Swing the club between the target and shoulder lines.

1. Stand with a slightly open and very narrow stance
2. Close shoulders where they are parallel to your target line
3. Stand close enough to the ball so that the shaft is perpendicular to the ground
4. The toe of the club is down and the heel is up

This set up produces a shot that comes off the clubface with minimal side spin

1. Put the ball position somewhere between your feet. Your feet should only be a couple of inches a part
2. Your hands are placed in front of the ball towards your target.

This position pre-sets your power so that you only rock the shoulders

1. Keep 80% of your weight on the left side throughout the chip
2. Take the club away by pushing back with your left hand

This promotes the left hand to be in control throughout the chip

1. Pull with the left hand so that the club in moving in a descending motion
2. The hands need to be in front of the club head at the moment of impact
3. Allow the right arm to extend after impact by pulling with the left side
4. Keep the face of the club square to the intended target through impact
5. Apply all techniques above for any club selected to perform the chip shot

RULE OF THUMB – Select a club that will produce a shot where the ball will carry 30% and roll 70%. The goal is to get the ball rolling like a putt as soon as possible.

Questions regarding this shot or any other shot please email me wadewilson@pga.com

Become a better putter in just 2 hours per week. How often do you practice putting?

“Right before I play”

“For 10 minutes after hitting balls for an hour”

“Rarely”

Those are the most common answers I hear. I would like for you to try the following drills. I believe you will enjoy the drills and benefit tremendously from the information.

Drill 1 – Around the World

Place 8 balls in a circle, 3 feet from the hole. The area does not have to be flat. Make sure that each ball is similar in distance from the hole.

Rules: Make any and all practice strokes before attempting to put. Start by making a putt, hold your finish and then move in a counter clockwise direction to the next ball. If you miss a putt, do not stop, continue to the next ball and complete the drill. Continue moving through the drill focusing on making a consistent stroke and maintaining a consistent tempo.

Drill 2 – The Line Drill

Place 4 balls in a straight line. Start with a ball placed two feet from the hole and form a straight line separating each ball by two feet. Starting with the ball closest to the hole, make your putt. Move to the second and try to make your put. Move to the third ball and try to make your putt.

Rules: You must make all putts in consecutive order to complete the drill. If you miss a putt you must start over with the ball that was closest to the hole.


GOALS:

• Make all balls in consecutive order.
• Get comfortable with short puts by not wasting time and getting tense.
• See and feel yourself developing a consistent stroke.
• Make a contest with yourself where you can’t leave the practice green until you complete the drill(s).

I know you will benefit tremendously from these drills if you make the time to practice. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Wade Wilson, PGA

Director of Instruction