Jan. 30, 2006

How many of you watching this past Buick Championship marveled at how Tiger Woods can hit one fairway on Friday and still win the title? This, may I add, was after a six-week break when there was a span of 24 days without touching a club; Hence, the title of this month’s tip.

We never have as much time to practice as we wish. With all that’s going on in our busy lives, our golf games do not get the needed attention. When faced with such a dilemma, may I suggest keeping the driver in the bag and hitting some putts in the basement and some chip shots in the backyard. Not only is the wedge game the most important part of golf, it is the most neglected. If you are able to spend some time at the driving range, hit the majority of your shots with your short irons and spend double that amount of time chipping and putting.

Whether you are a world class player or a weekend warrior, the wedges are the key to playing good golf! How many players do you know who hit it out of sight, but cannot get up and down from the fringe? Practice those wedges and your golf game will thank you!

Michael Burcin
USC Assistant Men’s Golf Coach