PRO'S CORNER
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GET GOLF READY
LESSON SPECIAL
T
ake advantage of the
final daily golf clinics
at Indian Wells Golf Resort
until November with the
Get Golf ready package,
which includes access to
all five clinics held during
the first week of May for
just $99.
From Tuesday, May 3,
through saturday, May 7,
clinics will be held at 11
a.m. and will cover a wide
array of topics, including
putting, short game, full
swing, course manage-
ment and specialty shots.
Visit the Golf Shop to
sign up for the Get Golf
Ready package in advance
or call (760) 834-3838 for
more information.
LAST CALL!
I
mproving one's short
game is a goal for players
at any skill level in the ul-
timate quest for consis-
tency on and around
the green. In this
edition of Ask the
Pro, PGa head Golf
Professional Tom
burley offers three es-
sential steps for getting up
and down more often.
1
observe your lie and
surroundings around
the entire area of the
green. If you are just off the
green take an extra moment
to fully observe what is in
front of you. You want to take
note if your ball is sitting on
an uphill or downhill lie and
make a slight adjustment if
needed. Also, take a look at
where any trouble areas are
around the green – like sand
traps or false fronts – and
play a smart shot to a safe
part of the putting surface.
2
select the right club for
the shot. Depending on
where you are around
the green, you will probably
have to pitch or chip the ball
to get it close. Club selection
is key to managing the dis-
tance of your short shot. You
want to make sure you are
not using a whole lot of loft
unless you have to. Always
try to get the ball rolling to-
ward the target. And remem-
ber: you can learn a lot about
the break in the green by
watching your ball roll – so
always stay attentive during
your pitches and chips.
3
Get your putts to the
hole. I have never seen
a putt go in that didn't
have enough speed to get to
the hole. Golf is all about giv-
ing yourself the best chance,
and if your putt doesn't have
enough speed to make it to
the cup, it never has a chance.
I recommend practicing from
2 or 3 feet from the hole con-
stantly to get comfortable
and confident in any "come-
back putts" you might face.
Golfers have a tendency to
putt tentatively if they fear
the next putt. Get rid of any
short-putting fears and start
being fairly aggressive where
you can be.
GeT uP and doWn!
3 essential steps to saving shots around the green
Step No. 3 will help you
overcome putting fears.
