Since 2005 Clint Avret has been the Head Golf Professional at the historic Timuquana Country Club located in Jacksonville. The club will be hosting the 69th playing of the Florida Open this July along with the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier in 2016. Clint is also a certified FSGA Rules Official
Getting the ball up and in around the greens is vitally important to making bad rounds tolerable, decent rounds good, and can turn a good round into a great one. Timuquana Country Club is a Donald Ross design with elevated greens that allow for a variety of shot-making around the greens. For the most part, keeping the ball on or close to the ground is the most consistent way to attack Mr. Ross’s courses.
When chipping (bump and run), stand very close to the ball and very tall to the shot. Try to create a posture that will allow the toe of the golf club to rest on the ground behind the ball. This will allow for much cleaner contact with the ball, which will create a more controllable shot. Also, it will help to eliminate the dreaded “chili dip” or “chunked” shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Another area that will help a player make more consistent contact is acceleration. As you make a chipping stroke, make a backswing that is just long enough to have smooth acceleration through the shot. The player who makes too long of a backswing and has to slow down at impact will have difficulty controlling distance. Smooth acceleration will help you get more chips close to the desired target.
A better short game will make for better scores!
