Excitement and Mayhem Persists at the AT and T Pebble Beach Pro Am

One of the most loved golf tournaments in the world, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am begins on February 10th to the delight of many golf fans. The brilliance of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the reason why people from far and wide come to witness the tournament is the fun and humility displayed by the athletes. Although people are always concerned with their golf scores, this tournament has such a care-free, light feel to it that many spectators note it as their favorite of the year.

Every year each pro golfer is paired with an amateur player to continue the tournament. Due to its close proximity to Los Angeles, more than a few celebrities confirm for the event, which is the reason why it usually achieves nationwide television coverage and many spectators view it as one of the best tournaments of the year. After three days of fun and mayhem with the celebrities, the players making the 54 hole cut go on the main competition which has a purse of over a million dollars.

A few staples that have always been fun to watch is Ray Romano or Bill Murray, who, in previous years, has had a tendency of dancing with the spectators and lounging around in the sand traps. While this keeps both the golfers and the audience on their toes, it shows the fun nature of the sport and how easy it is to get wrapped up in the excitement.

This year more than a few A list celebrities have already confirmed including boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya, Ray Romano, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner and, of course, Bill Murray. They will be paired with high class golfers such as Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Davis Love III, who recently made golf news by becoming 2012 Ryder Cup Captain. The golfers will try to give good golf advice to the celebs while the celebs remind the pros about the fun of the game.

Each year the tournament is filled with hilarious moments and moments of great competition. For the past two years American Dustin Johnson has come out on top winning the million dollar prize. While nobody knows who’ll win this year, there’s certain to be a lot of excitement and fun during the tournament.

Chip Shot – Save 5 Shots Per Round

CHIP SHOT

One of the most important assets that you can have for lowering your score is to improve your chipping. When you begin to feel the correct distance and select the right club for the shot in hand, your shot consistency will improve rapidly and you will save at least 5 shots a round. Despite these potential benefits, chipping is probably the least practiced and most neglected part of most players’ golf game. Here are some tips on the chip shot.

For the majority of your chip shots, you should not hit down hard on the ball or put spin on it. If you meet the ball with a square clubface, you will make a solid contact with the ball, resulting in obtaining a consistent distance from each club. Just let the face of the club do it’s job and the consistency you gain will result in much better results.

Avoid closing the face to make the ball run more, or opening the face to make it pop up as these are riskier options as they will impart more spin on the ball. As I mentioned we are aiming for consistency, so the less spin on the ball, the more consistency you will achieve.

With that in mind, your club selection is as important as the execution of the chip shot. Try to always putt from off of the green if at all possible. The old saying is – The worst putt is better than the worst chip. You can use anything from a wedge to a 5 iron, depending on the lie and circumstances. Don’t just use one single club for chipping as there are too many different types of chip shot you must learn to play to restrict yourself to only one. By varying your club selection you add more shots to your repertoire that will cover every possibility.

The Basic Chip Shot

Hands set ahead of the clubhead

The fundamental mechanic of the basic chip shot is addressing the ball with the majority of your weight on your left foot with your hands ahead of the clubhead. This will enable you to accelerate the clubhead into the ball on a descending blow.

Ways for Better Golf Swings

The sport of golf is considered to be an individual sport. Players continue gaining better swings not only to surpass the competitor but probably to reduce the golf club swinging until the ball enters into the hole. As they say, “Practice makes perfect” and that means you really need to practice if you want to boost your swings. In rehearsing your swings, ensure that you are performing the most suitable thing. Always check the position of your own head. It needs to be raised up and really should not be tucked. This is considered the common flaws of several players. Your eyes really should remain fixed to the golf ball as you gently do the swinging. Train yourself not to move your head sideways as you hit the ball.

Each individual has approaches in swinging the club. No two players have the precise same stroke as it depends upon the whole body re of the golfer and how the golfer handles the club. The power of the grip in your club also is so important. If the golf player is nervous, there is an effect on the grip. Relax and chill out. If the muscles are relaxed, you retain the correct balance and will also be able to swing and handle the strength of the hit. Balance is necessary to golfers.

There are quantifiable goals in golf. The exactness of the golf shot is very important. Although this may possibly be enhanced as you go along, you ought to practice managing the ball through the correct swinging. If the usual distance moved by the golf ball is not very far enough, it is acceptable. The essential thing is that you could manipulate the shot trajectory of the golf ball. When the golf player is near the goal, this is necessary to score.

Men and women were familiar with the basics of swinging the ball but putting it into practice and getting familiar with the club and your body makes a difference. Not to note the varying wind if you are in the golf course as it has an effect on the golf ball.

The Hexagon Of Your Golf Swing

Modern Technology Has Changed The Game Of Golf!

You are probably thinking, “Tell me something I don’t know.” Everyone that has played the game for any significant amount of time is aware of the fact that technology has changed the game of golf. Technology has changed the equipment so that the ball will go further and straighter. Everyone is aware of this. This being true, there is an enormous amount left to talk about.

In this era of golf everyone is wrapped up in the effects of equipment. Although very important, there is a great deal more involved in the game of golf than just equipment. These areas of the game often seem to get lost in the shuffle.

Up until the emergence of technology, molding a good player was thought of as The Triangle of Player Development. There were three focal points of development. The focal points were Instruction, Equipment, and Mental. The molding of a players development as been modernized as well.

Once a player is involved in quality instruction, been fitted for the right equipment, and is prepared mentally; does this mean the development stops? There is much more to the game. How about Course Management, Shot Making Skills, or maybe most importantly Physical Conditioning.

Everyone that has ever played the game of golf has experienced a point and time where they have struggled with their game. Many have pinpointed the problem precisely only never being able to get over the hump. When presented with this problem, be very aware of limitations that may exist. Flexibility and conditioning is a proven aspect of the golf.

Many golfers spend the majority of their time making sure the equipment fits the swing. What most likely needs to be fitted is the body to the golf swing.

How to Chip in Golf

One of the most important things to remember if you want to learn how to chip better is just how important it is to have clean, consistent contact. You will need to strike the ball on the way down, avoiding hitting the ground before you hit the ball. Repeating clean contact is not easy, but once you can do it you will quickly find it much easier to control the distance of your chips. Once you learn that distance control you will be able to putt from closer distances, cutting strokes off of your game.

Ball Alignment

While you are swinging a golf club, the middle of your center of gravity is where the lowest point typically falls. Because you want to avoid hitting the ground before you strike the ball, you should move the ball just behind center at address. For beginners, use two inches behind your center, then you can adjust as you become more comfortable. Just don’t forget to keep this ball location consistent as moving it will change the angle of your club impact and you will find it harder to consistently strike the ball cleanly.

Hand Position

You will need to work on consistent hand position each time you chip. Your hands should be in the same place with each chip you make. You will want to position your hands in front of the ball. Draw a straight line from the point where your right knuckle sticks out the farthest. That line typically falls just in front of your ball and is a good reference point to use for your hand positioning.

Weight Balance

Your weight should be distributed about 40 percent-60 percent with more of your weight on your front foot. This is going to help cut down on hitting fat shots by making the lower point of the swing more toward your front foot. Getting this balance down will help you to your goal of hitting clean chip shots more consistently.

Club Alignment

Make an extra effort to keep your club face squared to your target. While playing the ball back in your stance your club face may float open, which requires that extra bit of focus for chipping.

This setup should help you make more up and downs from just beyond the green. Be sure you check my other golf chipping tips if you are looking for additional assistance with improving your chip shots.