SHORT GAME FUNDAMENTALS
Set-Up, Stroke
For Chip Shots
In this series on the short game wc have progressed from putting to
chipping and soon will be working on the pitching stroke. The basic differ
ence between the chipping stroke
and the pilch shot is the trajectory
and the amount of spin imparted to
the ball.
The inspiration for this series on
the short game came front the PGA
Teaching Manual which impressed
me as a system which is easy to
leant, and better yet, a system which
every golfer should be able to under
stand. By linking the learning ele
ments which arc common to putting,
chipping and pitching, the leaching professionals enhance our understand
ing of how these shots arc alike and how they differ.
So much of the "full sw ing" theory in golf is linked to liming, coordi
nation, and balance that even the best teachers arc occasionally hard
pressed to identify swing faults. In the short game those elements are clear
ly observable. Not only the teacher can see them, the golfer is fully capable
of self analysis when he understands what causes such errors.
I WILLGOLF
BY
WILL
COCKRELL
Club Loft Dictates Set-Up
By way of review, ihc chip shot differs from the pulling stroke in the
way you set up to the hall, but the stroke itself is essentially ihe same .is the
putting stroke. The set-up varies because you are making the shot with a
lofted club instead of the Hat faced putter. The stance is narrower than the
putting stance and the feet are slightly open. Your hands and your head arc
slightly ahead of the ball. Your weight should begin and remain on your left
foot throughout the chip shot.
Due to the loft on the chipping club yon must use a set-up which will
ensure contact with the ball while the clubhead is still on us downward arc.
The desired set-up is one which is easy to check. Just imagine a line run
ning straight down from your chin. That line should be one or two inches in
front of the ball and your hands should be a couple of inches in front of that
line. Hie PGA suggests that you choke down on the chipping club and that
your hands be along the inner left thigh.
When you take this set-up you will clearly see that it fits well w ith the
weight left and the open stance to ensure your clubhead will contact the
ball on its downward path. Since most chip shots will necessitate a longer
backswing than most putts, the narrow open stance will promote a
smoother stroke through the ball. One which will not become tied up too
close to your body. This set-up also promotes a single lever stroke which
uses the shoulders to control the shot. The hands, wrists and arms simply
follow the lead of the shoulders.
The Chipping Stroke
In the chipping stroke the hands must remain firm to ensure that they
lead the clubhead through the ball. There should be no wrist break through
the ball and the hands must follow through beyond the left leg to ensure
that the right hand remains behind the left throughout the stroke. The nar
row, open stance and the weight left also help to keep the wrists firm
through the stroke. You can check this by setting up square with your
weight on the right foot and taking a few chipping strokes. It is almost im
possible to keep the right hand from rolling over the left.
After you arc comfortable with set-up for the chip shot the stroke is
just exactly like the putting stroke. I must admit that 1 even cheat a bit by
taking my putting grip when I hit chip shots. The PGA docs not recom
mend that, but it is a constant reminder to me that 1 want to deliver the club
through the ball exactly as I do with the putter. My son tells me that I do
break my wrists on the backsw ing on really long chips, the same as 1 do on
run-up shots. I do work hard on both those shots to keep the wrist firm
w hen contacting the ball and follow ing through on the shot.
Adjust For Bad Lies
If you are one of those golfers who does not play preferred lies or win
ter rules all year round, there is one occasion when you may want to make a
slight modification to the stroke. When you are faccd with a chip shot with
a bad lie. In these cases you may want to make one of two adjustments:
choose a club with more loft or set-up to swing the club with a modest
wrist break.
Faced with a bad lie, you will want to contact the ball with a sharper
descending stroke and catch the ball clean before making contact with the
turf. If the chip calls for a 6-iron you may want to use an 8-iron and keep
you hands well ahead of the ball. This effectively dclofts the 8-iron and al
so ensures a descending stroke on the ball. If you are not comfortable
changing your set-up or hand position, then you can produce the same re
sults witli a limited wrist break on the backswing while being sure to lead
the clubhead through ihe ball with your hands.
Next week we will examine the differences anil similarities between
the chip shot and the basic pilch shot. Everyone knows that ihe pilch shoi
falls somewhere between a chip shot and a full golf swing. Not everyone
understands that die pitch shot may be refined by using some of ihe basic
principles we have discussed with the pulling stroke and the chip shot.
'One of the
10 best golf courses
in the world.'
I ? *
Golf Magazine
OCEAN HARBOUR
? GOLF LINKS ?
Super Summer Special
GOOD T\ 1KU AUGUST, 1991
GREEN FEE ..$25
CART FEE $12
FREE CART
WITH
3-DAY PASS
$75 with coupon
C1991 THE BRUNSWICK BEACON
Calabash
NC (919)579-3588 ? SC (803)448-8398
Lady Bird Player Scores Ace At The Brick
Kiuy Smoker of Sea Trail aced
Brick Landing Plantation's 80- yard
sccond hole during a Lady Bird
League tournament July 24.
Winners in the championship
(light were Kay Brannon of Oak
Island with gross 77 and Marge
Roach of Bricrwood with net 68.
Runners-up in the top flight were
Sally Manifold of Carolina Shores
with gross 85 and Lynn Nichols of
Sea Trail and Frankie Dawson of
Oak Island with matching scores of
net 75. Dotue Meader had low putts
with 28.
Low gross scores in the first flight
were posted by Alice Grossman of
Brick Landing and Lois Beato of
Bricrwood. Ellen Rose and Elsie
Flack, both of Carolina Shores, had
the low net rounds. Jennie Boils of
Carolina Shores had low putts.
In the second flight, June Beck
and Paulic Waddle, both of Brick
Landing, had the low gross scores.
Low net winners were Shirley
Vazquez and Irene Crane, both of
Carolina Shores. Eileen Dcchan of
Carolina Shores had low putts.
Ruth Gardner of Brick Landing
and Emily Sharp of Carolina Shores
had the low gross scores in the third
llight. Low net winners were
GOLFING ACTION
Virginia Gibson anil Jane Flicg.
both of Brierwood. Ruby Rickard ol
Fox Squirrel ami Dorothy Cambria
of Sea Trail hail low pulls.
Fourth Hight low gross winners
were Kale Bunien of Fox Squirrel
and Fster Smith ol Biierwootl. Me
gan Carmiehael of Fox Squirrel
posted the low net, followed by
Joan Cowie and Lou Akers. boih of
Brierwood.
Low putt winners in the fourth
llight were Lilli Stainbrook ol Oak
Island, Audrey Salmon of Brier
wood and Thclma Spcidel ol Caro
lina Shores.
Brierwood Men
Two teams tied for first place in
the Brierwood Men's Golf Assixia
tion nine-hole mixed scramble last
Wednesday.
Burley Athcn. Fred Finsiein,
Catherine Clemmons and Nancy
Bouldin shot 34 to tic the threesome
of Jack Causer, Neal McCall and
Margaret Wood in the captain's
choice event.
On July 2*>, Neal McCall Itxik
first place in an individual point
system tournament at Itiimvi**!
Willi si\ JH>llltS.
I'oiiits* won* awarded lor canlcs
aiul bndics ami subtracted for Im>
gies ami double Indies in the lull
hatulicap event. Dave Harper was
second with four |?oints.
I lie team ol Uoy I lavenga. Jack
Baker and Marilvn Allien shot (>7 to
win the IX-hole captain's choice
mixed scramble Inly 2H.
Kill Shoemaker, Kita Dugan and
Mary Liimh placed secoiul with a
(tl>. 'Ibree teams tied lor third with
rounds ol 7 1
Sea Trail
Joe Rcid had the low gross of X2
and Hob Street had '.he low net o( 6S
in the Sea Trail Men's Golf Asso
ciation weekly tournament July 30.
Kunncrs up were John hwart with
gross X< and Marv Peters with net
67. The tournament was held on the
Kyrd couise ;it Sea Trail Plantation.
Sea Trail Ladies
The team ol Kitty Smoker and
Carol Petets shot a 11 to win the Sea
Trail Ladies Goll Association cap
lam's choice event last Wednesday.
Dinah Gore. Pat Kurkhart and
f-va Raham placed second with a 77.
Ilntd place went to ihc team ol
Shirlov llelnike, I ois Curry ami
Jennie Molts with an SO.
finishing fourili with an SI was
the leant ol Louisa Nicol. iHnolhy
Cambria and I .ois Pike.
On July 24. Kiia Mil/, tired a
gioss 106 and Betty Street shot net
8* id win an individual tournament
played on the Jones course.
Runners- up were Robin Waller
wilh gross l()*> and Pat Burkhart
w ith net 87.
Carolina Shores
Helen Morrison, Meity Goodwin,
Attn I (ierinaii and Mylle Malison
scored 127 (hiiiiis hi winning the
Carolina Shores ladies (ioll
Assiviaiion tournament last week.
Finishing seven |>oinis back in
second place was the foursome of
lern (iould. Doreen Spearin, Mar
tha Paynier and Mae Robertson
Ruth RadclilTe had It >w pulls for
the day with 27. Birdies were card
ed by Eilsie Rack and Mrs.
Morrison :u the third hole and Mrs.
Robertson at the eighth.
Chip-ins were made by Carol
S/arks at the fifth hole, Mrs Payn
ler at the eighth and Helen Marsh
and Mrs Gould at the 17th.
New Football Stadium Ready For Trojans
BY IONIA TREST
A new 1,675-scal football stadi
um and press box should be com
pleted by the time students report to
West Brunswick High School later
this month.
The project is the largest in a sc
ries of athlctic facility improve
ments completed over the last five
years at the hit;h school, according
to the coaching staff.
The softball and baseball fields
have been refurbished and a coach
es' office, strength room and two
tennis courts have been built. Other
recent improvement projects in
clude die repaving and relenting of
the track, construction of a track
and field area and new yard-line
markers.
Construction of the stadium be
gan in January 1990, said Coach
Marshall Scay. All that remains to
be completed is the wiring in the
new press box.
The new arena will be named the
M. H. Rourk Stadium, in honor of
one of its major sponsors. Dr.
Malcolm Henderson Rourk of
Shalloltc.
Dedication of the new stadium is
tentatively scheduled for the first
home football game on Aug. 30,
said Will Cockrell, JROTC instruc
tor and golf coach.
In addition to a generous dona
ton from Rourk, funds for the
S115,(XX) project included 580,000
from the Brunswick County Board
of Education, said Cockrell. The
balance was raised by the West
Brunswick Athletic Boosters Club.
The new stadium, completed in
April, was built because the old sta
dium didn't provide enough seating
for Trojan fans.
"Fans and Booster Club members
had nowhere to sit," said Scay, head
football coach. "E.vcrybody has a
good seat (at the new stadium) and
the visibility will increase fans."
Starting this fall, fans of the
home team will sit in new bleachers
on the side of the field once re
served for visitors.
On what used to be the "home"
side of the field, wooden scats in
the old stadium have been rcplaccd
with aluminum scats that will ac
commodate 7(X) to 800 visiting
team fans.
The new press box is costing
S13.000 to S15,(XX) which includes
$2,400 for the public address sys
tem.
LION'S PAW
GOLF LINKS
Golf Special
18 Holes Open
Bent Grass Greens
9 HOLES
Green Fee & Cart $15
18HOI.ES
Green Fee & Cait $25
GOOD THROUGH SF.PT. 5, 1991
(919)579-1801
1-800-233-1801
Follow Hwy. 17 to 904
Turn East toward
Sunset Beach, NC
? ?* $tEl ** iivrt
HNMB -
gj*" * -"*?; .,.. '? iT ' .:
SIAFf ritOIO BY IONIA TSFM
TROJAN FOOTBALL FANS will enjoy use of these new bleachers in the M.I I. Hourk Stadium start
ing Aug. JO.
The press box will include a events at ihe stadium, hook-up booth, said Cockrell.
large, lighted sign that can be seen Also, two power outlets will be Cockrell said the next project will
from N.C. 130 and three telephone located on the Held along \\ itli ;? mi be construction of a new concession
lines for use by media covering crophone and a line to Ihe coaches' stand.
PROCERns GO TO
BRUNSWICK CTY. SCHOOLS
VOCATIONAL EDUCAT ION
DISASTER RELIEF
HOPE HARBOR HOME
SOUTH BRUNSWICK ISLANDS
HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
FIRST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
THE PEARL GOLF LINKS
TOURNAMENT HOSTED BY
THE HOOTERS GIRLS
Prizes (per person, each flight)
1st -$100
2nd - $75
3rd ? $50
Closest to Pin on all Par 3's
Longest Drive on a Given Par 4
TOURNAMENT PROMOTED BY
VUDZD 93.5 FM
!):(><> am Shotgun Start
2 Flights ? (Four Man Teams)
Captain's Choice
Buffet I .n noli
PRIZES PRESENTED BY TIIE HOOTERS GIRLS
HOOTERS GIRL CADDIE AUCTION
REGISTRATION FORM
Team Name
Players
(FHINT NAMES CLEARLY)
Team Entry Fee-$200
Individual Fee-$50
(Individual players will l?t? made into tennis)
Make checks payable to: S B I
Homebuilders Association Return entrs
form and check to:
P.O. Box 2653, Shallot te, NC 28459.
For more information contact Steve
Mann at STEVE MANN
CONSTRUCTION. Phone: 579-7291
Prizes Donated By:
ATMC
Roberto's
Island Grill
I )os Amigos
Islander Rest
The Mole Hole
Sharkey's Den
Davis Jewelry
Jimmy's Pantry
RipTide Video
Mnrsh Lighting
Twin Lakes Rest
Federal land Bank
Man Hair Gallery
Nifty 50's Ice Cream Shoppe
Victoria's Ragpatch, Inc.
Pro Tee Practice Range
Island Grill & Grocery
Island House Restaurant
Shoreline Beauty Shop
Lowe's of Whiteville
Sea Trail Corporation
Ocean Isle True Value
Lowe's of South port
Ocean Isle Beach Shop
Appraisal Associates
Island Tackle & Gifts
Shallotte Glass Co
f'apt Nance's Rest.
Milliken's Rest.
Ocean Isle Marina
Sunset Surf & Soda Shop
Brunswick Building Supplies
Touch of Class Unisex Salon
Crabby Oddwnters Restaurant & Bar
Shady Oak Florist, Garden & Gift Shop