It’s time for more golf tips from golf pro, Dave Buettner. The following information will help you improve your chipping and wedging on the course. If you have questions, feel free to visit Dave and the rest of the Talking Rock golf pros at the Ranch Compound.

Patio / Driveway Chipping
Throw an old “welcome” or floor mat down on the concrete. You can use golf balls or whiffle balls. Hit short chip shots off of the mat. This will give you more confidence striking chips off of firm, tight lies (a common shot at Talking Rock). Use a variety of cubs from sandwedge to six-iron. The hard service requires precision and precise contact. If you really want a challenge, grab a few old-fashioned marbles and try to chip those!

Get better acquainted with your wedges
When you go to the range for practice only on cool days just take your wedges. Resist the urge to grab the driver, 5-iron etc. Hit your wedges a variety of distances. Before each shot tell yourself how far you are going to hit it. After you hit it tell yourself how far you did hit it. I watched Tom Kite do this for an hour at the Olympic Club a few years ago. And yes he had it down the yard! You will be surprised at how good you get and you will be teaching yourself distance control – the key to scoring.