Conference 7.286::golf

    Tom, the only way I know of is to practice,practice and practice!
    Hit'em in the living room, backyard, off the driveway etc. Chip
    over logs, bushes, walls. Hit'em into buckets, pools, car trunks.
    Evergreen trees will act like a net to catch balls if you have some
    around. Use the plastic balls to hit while working on timing and
    balance. The urge to hit AT the ball is reduced because you know
    that the plastic ball is going nowhere. Use different clubs while
    executing the same shot and practice, practice, practice.
    Rich

    
>   One of the worst aspects of my game is "The Short Game".
>   Everyone has this problem for time to time. I mean you have to 
>   limit the energy produced but still not quit on the shot on the
>   down stroke on thru the ball. It kind of a contradiction with
>   one's mind. Last year I saw a tip from Watson about leading chips
>   and short shots with the right knee. It seems to help me from
>   not quiting on the shot. 
    	
 
Tom,

	I highly recommend Tom Watson's paperback book on how to play
the short game.  It covers all aspects of pitching, chipping and putting.
The techniques he covers are very simple, and the book contains lots of
illustrations. 

Jeff

    	I agree with .1, that practice is the best way to improve this
    part of your game.  It's all touch.  But one tip that has always
    helped me, is to always be increasing club head speed at contact.
    simply put, your not quitting, because your increasing your speed
    thru the ball.  This is done by taking a shorter back swing than
    on a normal shot.  Also by keeping your head down, and letting the
    club do the work, instead of chopping down into the ground just
    behind the ball.
    	All the tips you can get are great.  But none of them will help
    to much without a lot of time spent practicing them.
    
                                                      Beak

    RE:.0
    
    Practice.....by all means.  I'm not sure what your interested in.  Do
    you want tips on mechanics or how to play the different shots?  As for
    mechanics, restrict the back swing and DO NOT BREAK YOU WRISTS THROUGH
    THE SHOT.  How far back do you take it?  I like to imagine that I'm
    throwing ball underhand to the pin.  That's about how hard to hit and 
    how far back to take the club.  The most important thing though is to
    get the ball on the ground as quickly as possible.  The more roll the
    more margin for error.  When chiping, I like the one third, two thirds
    method.  Fly the ball one third of the way and let it roll the rest.
    
    
    					KO

    
    	I  use a technique that has been very usefull at pitch
    and rolls. I picked it up from a few sources. What I do is
    use a (distance the ball travels in the air) to ( distance
    the ball travels on the ground) ratio. Forinstance, the 
    pitching wedge will roll about twice the distance it travelled
    in the air, the 9 will be 1 part air to 3 parts roll etc. This
    takes into account a consistent method (hands ahead of the ball,
    ball back in stance). The ratio method works using clubs PW thru
    6 iron. After that, it becomes too long and a different shot maybe
    better. Also, I will test the ratio prior to a round because the
    greens may have just been cut etc. ... but simply adjusting to
    PW being 1 part air "3" parts roll will usually suffice.
    
    try it out... it really helps. It's especially nice, because I find
    myself more confident knowing (at least "where" I need to land the
    ball). 
    
    	And by the way... You STILL have to Practice Practice Practice!
    
    	Walt
    

    re: .0
    
    Each of the replys said the key word..................
    
    
    The reason Hogan was so good......PRACTICE..PRACTICE..PRACTICE!!!

    
    
    RE .6  I really wish you wouldn't brag about me like that. Yes I
           did practice alot but was also born with this god given talent.
           
     Hogan
    
    

    RE:0
    
    I wrote a couple of responses regarding the short game under 464.0
    but just to add one more reply to your query: Practice, Practice.
    
    After surgery this summer all I could do was practice my short game
    which really improved since before surgery and helped keep my scoring 
    down until my swing started to return to normal.
    
    Find somewhere in the house to putt/chip during the winter months          
    and try to do a few chips or putts everyday or every other day just
    to keep the feel of hitting a golf ball and trying to control it
    (even if the distance is less than 15 feet !).
    
    When the weather improves and you finally get out and play your
    touch around the green will be ahead of schedule for early spring
    and you have an edge on your foursome.
    
    As far as shots from 20 to 80 yards out the responders to his note
    have given you some good food for thought. 
    
    I hope you have a good year !!
    
    Regards,
    
    Ron Hadac (DEC_Chicago_golf_league_president)