| Historians believe that the game originated in | | | | I'd never become a great golfer, a great striker |
| Scotland during the 12th century, with shepherds | | | | of the golf ball. At the same time, I decided that I |
| knocking stones into rabbit holes on what is now | | | | could become a great chipper of the golf ball. |
| the site of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. | | | | There are fundamentals and chipping methods |
| Andrews. This is the historic course that has | | | | that anybody can master with practice. And |
| hosted the British Open several times. | | | | these techniques allow you to really lower your |
| But, where did the word "golf" come from? Some | | | | scores fast. |
| say that King James II issued a proclamation in | | | | A good chipper takes lots of pressure off the |
| Edinburgh on March 6th, 1457, banning "ye golf," | | | | other parts of the game. Maybe you can't hit the |
| and encouraging countrymen to dedicate | | | | driver real straight, and your iron play is a little |
| themselves to the worthy practice of archery. | | | | shaky. But just get close to the green and work |
| Others contend that the word "golf" is a 15th | | | | your chipping magic. You can certainly score that |
| century acronym standing for "Gentlemen Only, | | | | way. |
| Ladies Forbidden." I don't think I'll comment on | | | | Here's another important statistic that the |
| that one. | | | | beginning golfer needs to know. In an 18 hole |
| The beginning golfer should be aware that much is | | | | round of golf, about 43% of your strokes are |
| made of the history of the game of golf. That | | | | made with your putter. Obviously, learning to putt |
| discussion includes not only golf's European origins, | | | | is a very significant part of learning to play golf. |
| but also the evolution of golf etiquette and rules | | | | The significant set-up fundamentals are positioning |
| of play through the centuries. The beginning player | | | | the ball slightly forward in your stance, setting |
| should get a feel for the history and | | | | your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target |
| transformation of the game before he or she | | | | line, and positioning your eyes over the ball. This |
| gets too far along in the learning experience. | | | | set-up will allow you to see the target line |
| So, where do we begin to learn this game? Well, | | | | correctly and keep the putter face square to it. |
| the short game is a great place to start. That's | | | | If you can learn to be a good putter, you're well |
| putting, chipping, and pitching from 100 yards and | | | | on your way to being a good player. You can |
| in. In an 18 hole round of golf, over 60% of a | | | | certainly hide some flaws in your swing and ball |
| golfer's shots are short game shots from inside | | | | striking by being able to successfully roll your ball |
| 100 yards. | | | | on the putting surface. And, nothing is more |
| Mastering the art of chipping is a very big part of | | | | frustrating to your opponents than seeing you roll |
| learning the game. I decided a long time ago that | | | | in putt after putt. |