A tip for playing the Windermere Valley Golf Course

Dale Moore, head professional at Windermere Valley Golf Course

Playing golf in a mountainous area almost always presents difficulty for golfers. While the mountain scenery is very rugged and beautiful, the slope of the land does carry through to the valley bottom. These slopes are sometimes subtle and difficult to see. Windermere Valley Golf Course has an elevation change of some 200 feet from the north end of the course to the south end, where the clubhouse is situated. So when putting towards the clubhouse, treat the putt as a downhill shot even if it does not appear to be. This should help eliminate the dreaded three-putt.

Tips for better chipping

All great chippers hit the ball with a descending strike for solid contact. If you are having trouble with your chips, keep these basics in mind:
Ball position: To make sure the club hits the ball before it hits the ground, position the ball in the back half of your stance. The exact position is up to you, but just keep in mind that the farther back in your stance the ball is, the lower the trajectory of the shot. Experiment with different ball positions to find out what works best for you.
Hands ahead: Your hands must lead the head of the club through impact. Preset your hands at address by pressing them slightly forward towards the target. Rock your shoulders back and through, keeping your wrists firm to maintain that hands-ahead position.
Leg shift: Set your weight forward onto your lead foot and keep it there throughout the backswing. On the downswing, gently shift your knees toward the target. This contribution from your legs keeps your centre of gravity forward of the ball, promoting the descending strike that you need to hit crisp chips.