Golf Tips From The Pro - LaPlaya Golf Club, Naples, Florida
If your local Naples golf course is under the weather during the winter, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort’s 18-hole links golf course is the perfect alternative. Designed by Robert Cupp, it’s scenic and challenging, and the ideal way to prevent your game from getting rusty. To make the reservation process even easier, the resort concierge can also access the tee sheet for times, or you can call direct to the golf course from the hotel. And should lunch be more on your agenda than launching into the fairway, Chef Cheryl’s outstanding menu at the 15,000 square foot clubhouse is on par with the best, and features great signature wraps.
BODY POSITION: Bend from the waist so your arms hang freely, with your legs also slightly bent. Keep the weight on the balls of your feet, with your feet close together, about 6 inches apart. The weight of your body should favor your left side (reverse if lefthanded). You may want to feel as though your right hip is higher than your left. Your nose should be in front of the ball—this is vital to ensure your weight stays to your left side and when you stroke the ball, the club will be on a descending path.
BALL POSITION: The ball should be placed toward the back of your stance, or just inside your right ankle.
THE STROKE: The stroke is made by moving your arms and chest at the same time and speed. Imagine you have a beach ball between your arms. When you move your arms and chest, the beach ball should not fall out. This motion may also feel as though you are tossing a ball under handed. Your hands should feel very light as you form them on the club. Keep in mind that if you were going to toss a ball you would not squeeze it. Another feel you might want to keep in mind is, this stroke is predominantly a right-sided “feel.”
CLUB SELECTION: When chipping the ball onto the green, you’ll want to land the ball on the putting surface as early as possible, as it is the most consistent surface on the course. The closer the target, the more lofted club you should choose. The more loft, the softer the landing, and the less roll once the ball lands on the green. Choose the club that allows the ball to “clear” the fringe and land on the green as early as possible. If the grass in front of you is hard or fi rm, you may want to choose your putter.