Goto this address for some very interesting pictures of the golf course in early October after the Hurricanes.

http://homepage.mac.com/bobschade/PhotoAlbum1.html

Sand Play
Playing from the sand is a very traumatic situation for the average golfer. Most golfers almost get the hives going into the sand and their results are predicable. Their results are either a skull across the green or they leave it in the bunker. As in most instances of the golf swing sand play faults are caused by setting up improperly and not practicing the proper techniques. Here are the steps to develop a consistent sand game.

1. Position the ball forward of center in your stance.
2. Position the grip end of the club slightly in front of the clubface.
3. Choke up on the club; make the club shorter.
4. Position 60% of your body weight on your left foot.
5. Fix your eyes on a grain of sand 1 inch behind the ball.
6. Keeping your weight on your left foot; swing back and through keeping the shaft leaning forward.
This technique is very simple and can be done with success by any level of player. Please remember that the first objective is to get the ball out of the sand.

Putting
The art of putting is one of the most difficult parts of golf to gain an understanding. First of all, the toughest part of putting has nothing to do actually making a putt. The toughest part of golf is getting your hands to react to what your eyes are seeing. With that being said I have quick drill for you to try.
1. Take your normal setup position.
2. Look at the hole.
3. Continue looking at the hole while making your putting motion.

Remember that I said that putting was an art. You must use your eyes to tell your arms how hard to hit the ball. You must also use your eyes to tell your hands what a square club face looks like and you must 100% committ to these two feelings or you will miss the putt everytime. Committment in putting is 90% of putting; the other 10% is mechanical, but only 10%. Look at your friends who putt well. They all look different. Each one of them grips the putter differently, each one of them stands differently, and each one of them strokes the golf club differently. What they have that is the same is confidence. Pure and simple putting requires two main instruments; Committment and Confidence. If you have those two items you will make your share of putts. Here is the 10% mechanical that you need to succeed after you have committment and confidence.
1. Position the golf ball forward in your stance.
2. Position more weight on your left foot than your right foot.
3. Keep the shaft of the club straight up and down, not leaning forward and never leaning away from the target.
4. Keep your left or lead wrist firm throughout the stroke.

That is it. If you can master those four mechanical positions you will conquer 10% of putting; the other 90%, committment and confidence will only be mastered with practice and patience. Good luck, you will need it!

This month’s tip will help you transition from the summer grass to the winter overseeded grass. This transition can be very difficult for many who are used to the summer grasses. Please read and practice the tips for each area.

Full Shots from overseeded fairways
1. Position the ball farther forward in your stance.
2. Grip the club more in the fingers of your right hand.
3. Swing completely back and through the golf shot.

Full Shots from non-overseeded fairways
1. Position the ball farther back in you stance.
2. Choke down on your grip, making the club shorter.
3. Swing back ¾ and then swing through ¾ .

Chipping and Pitching
1. Take a less lofted club.
2. Choke down on your grip, making the club shorter.
3. Position the ball farther back in your stance.
4. Run the ball rather than fly the ball all the way to the hole.

Putting
1. Choke down on your putter.
2. Position the ball toward the center of your stance.
3. Use a shorter stroke, pop the ball don’t caress the ball.
If you practice each of the tips individually and completely you will make the transition from summer grass to winter grass a non-event.