If you’re new to the game of golf, you’ll hear that phrase a lot…”fairways and greens”. Yes the drive is important, but if you can’t get some control in your approach and put the golf ball in the hole, you’ll go from golf-beginner to golf club-seller-on-ebay before June.

In his post “Stroke Savers” at www.FindaLesson.com, Daniel Drier explains the difference between chipping and pitching:
Most golfers do not use the chip shot very often around the greens. The harder shot is the pitch shot, which is used more often. What is the difference between the two shots?The pitch shot, simply explained, is a shot used around the green when you must get the ball up in the air over a bunker or up to an elevated green. The ball must get high in the air, so when it lands on the green, it will not have much roll. The pitch shot = a lot of height, a little roll.The chip shot, however, is just the opposite and should be used whenever possible. The chip shot has very little height, lands on the edge of the green and rolls to the hole. The chip shot = a little height, a lot of roll. Why use the chip shot? It is easier to roll a golf ball to the hole rather than try to fly the ball near to the hole and stop it.Again for those who missed it, pitch = lots of height, little roll; chip = little height, lot of roll. You can read the rest of his advice here, but once you get onto the green, you’re going to want to get in the hole quickly to avoid your new nickname of “trifecta”, “triple threat”, “three-peat”, or any other clever puns your foursome can think up.

Putting is very much about concentration, mental clarity, and attention to detail. You really need to be able to focus on the breaks in the green (that’s what direction the hills are sloping) as well as how wet, dry or long the grass is. Finally as you putt the golf ball, you’ll want to tune out the distractions around you, keep your body calm, and putt to the “tub”.

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