Winter 2024

For the 100-Yard Shot exercise, imagine you're a field-goal kicker aiming for the football goalpost. Visualize the target zone and see the ball go through the uprights to help get you closer to your target. 4. Turning Three Shots Into Two Around the Green (10 minutes) This is one of the biggest opportunities to save strokes. Being able to chip the ball close to the hole or even chip it in can save pars and pre- vent bogies. It will also help to keep your round together when you’re not at your best in the other areas. Most players instinctively use their highest lofted wedge for every chip, but often a 7- or 8-iron, used with a putting-like stroke, is significantly more effective and much easier to perform. Play the ball in the middle of your stance, put a little more weight on your forward leg, and use a smooth putting motion.This tech- nique reduces the risk of “chunking” or mishitting the shot and improves your proximity to the hole.This is referred to as a putt-chip. By focusing on these shots, dedicating just 40 minutes a few times a week, you’ll see measurable improvement in your game. Prioritize the shots that have the most impact on your score and practice with inten- tion to achieve noticeable results. Golf is a game we play for a lifetime—be a lifelong learner. Laird Small recently retired from a nearly half-century career as a golf professional. Most well known for his 19 years of leadership of the Pebble Beach Golf Academy, Small is a PGA Master Professional, one of GOLF Magazine’s top 100 teachers in America and was 2003 National PGA Teacher of the Year. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 97 Photo: Sherman Chu