FORE! (If you yell this a lot, try a lesson!) Can you hit this thing right every time?

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Questions & Answers
Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK
From Arnie, golfer:
How did Perks make those chip shots in the Players' - they seemed a lot harder than he made them look. How can I get the ball out of the rough like that around the greens so that it just rolls a little bit and doesn't blow by the hole? Amazing!
PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES:
Connecticut
"Good question Arnie!  First of all he has spent many hours practicing shots like that. If you watched the replay he maintained a firm left wrist at impact which enabled him to contact the ball a the low point of the stroke. Typically amateurs try to scoop the ball to create loft and the result is a low skull shot that blows by the hole. Try this the next time you are out to practice. Pretend that your wrists are in a cast and create a stroke that is equal in length with smooth tempo. This will help give you the feel that you need to create such a shot. Good golfing!" - Sherri Keller, Teaching Professional
Florida
"Great question Arnie. The three major contributors to soft landing pitches and chips are: 1) Long, slow back swing with abbreviated follow-thru,  2) soft hands and grip pressure, and 3) a 60 degree wedge. Probably the soft hands is the most overlooked component because many players think that long rough requires a tight grip (which makes the ball take off when it lands). What long rough requires is a longer back swing to create enough momentum to get the club through the grass. Depending on the severity of the lie the ball position can vary from off the rear toe to two to three inches to the rear of the rear toe - and that's where the 60 degree lob wedge really helps." - Joe Sciortino, Teaching Professional
New York
"Practice, practice, practice, practice. If a situation presents itself to you in a round which is unusual, and you have not attempted it before, your odds of executing it well are very diminished. The reason these folks on tour can make these shots look so routine is that they spend hours, upon hours practicing them. Most average golfers spend time on a range pounding balls, but the touring Pro spends a great amount of their practice time trying the unusual shots like those short chips from the rough. They do much more then show up for 4 days of the event." - Ron Venturini, Teaching Professional
South Carolina
"Arnie: Craig executed the perfect lob on the 18th at Sawgrass. If you look at his finish position, the left wrist is perfectly flat and the clubface is facing the sky. A great shot under extreme pressure. Just shows what practice can do. To learn more about this shot visit
http://www.ritson-sole.com/golftips/2002/jan2002.htm." - Mel Sole, Teaching Professional