Bump and Run

The Simple Bump and Run shot is your primary Go-To chip shot around the green. I like to get the ball running on the ground as soon as possible in order to avoid mistakes with undulations, breaks and speed. Unless you have several feet of fringe or a bunker in front of you, a 9, 8 or even a 7 iron is the perfect club to use for this shot. Always try to select a club with enough loft to carry the fringe in front of you. For Example: If you have less fringe to carry and several yards to the hole, you should pick an 8 or 7 iron. If you have more fringe to carry and less green to work with, select a 9 iron, or pitching wedge.

Reminders:

► Feet close together slightly open posture.

► Long Running Chip: Position ball towards
back foot, hands slightly tilting (pressed) forward.

► Short Chip: Position ball in mid-stance, hands even or just slightly in front of ball.

► Create a pendulum action with your shoulders and arms, while using a dead hand action (no wrist break).

► How much fringe to Carry dictates club selection.

► Use a short rhythmic swing to bump the ball onto the green.

For best results, I normally try to take most of the guess work out of this shot by eliminating any wrist action thru impact. Flimsy wrists can create too many problems with timing and mis-hits, causing inconsistent results. For the Bump and Run Shot Chip Shot, the position you start your hands and wrists at address will remain the same through out the entire motion of this shot. Let the club do the work for you and the loft and ball position will create the results you are looking for.



by Rosie Jones
Rosie Jones won 13 times on the LPGA Tour and twice on The Legends Tour.

Fitness: Keep Fit in the Off Season

Even when the snow is falling and winter is upon us, you can still work on improving your golf game. One thing I see in a lot of golfers is that they are not very flexible. We were all pretty good in our 20's and 30's, but once you hit those 40's, things start to tighten up.

Winter time is a good time to start a stretching program. It is important to keep your shoulders flexible. Spend some time each day doing stretches for your hips and hamstrings.

If you are really motivated to make next season one of your best, start a “core strength” training program. Either go to your local fitness club, or just buy an exercise ball that comes with a DVD showing how to increase your core muscles. The muscles used in golf all originate from the core. That is why Tiger and Annika spend so much time working out. And they do play pretty well!

So get motivated, and start your next golf season with a much more supple and toned body.

by Elaine Crosby
Elaine Crosby won the HyVee Classic in 2004.

Making a Good Score

While playing on the Legends Tour I've had the opportunity to talk with some of the best players in this game. I remember one such occasion in 2002. I was riding in a shuttle to the golf course with Kathy Whitworth. I had been playing well on the newly formed Legends Tour. I had a couple of top ten finishes under my belt, but couldn't get that “elusive win.” Kathy Whitworth won 88 times on the LPGA Tour. I thought I'd pick her brain. So I asked Kathy what she did to make putts inside of five feet on a routine basis.

Consistently making your shorter putts can really help your score. She replied, "I play most of those straight in the hole with good speed." It seems too simple to be true but I used that small piece of advice and went on to win an event that year.

• TIP FOR SHORT PUTTS:

When lining up those three to five foot putts that don't have an obvious break, pick a spot a few inches in front of the ball and play it straight into the back of the hole. If you tend to look up during the stroke, place a dime under the ball during practice and look for that dime as the ball leaves. That will keep your head down and your mind active.

One of the most important aspects of the game is finishing out short putts. After you hit a great bunker shot or chip, making that putt gives you great confidence in the rest of your game. It helps you SCORE!

• TIP FOR LONG PUTTS:

Lag putting is another story but the main goal is to get it near the hole. Speed is very important and a long putt needs more of a backstroke. You also have to play more break in the line than the short ones. You want to pour it into the hole like a pitcher of milk. Let it flow down the slope to the hole. Then walk up confidently and hit that little one straight to the back of the hole.


by Lori West
Lori West has won twice on The Legends Tour.