Prelude This volume of the New Horizons Golf Approach Pocket Coach Series focuses on what I call the Around-The-Green play.  Around-The-Green play is the area immediately surrounding the green where you believe you should be able to get the ball up on the green and close enough to the hole to finish it off with a one-putt.   Traditionally this process is called an up and down.  “Up” on the green, and “Down” into the hole.  I prefer to call it an “Up-n-In.”  Up-n-In simply seems more descriptive of what we are trying to accomplish.  I’ve had many beginners ask me what an Up and Down is, and when I explain it as an Up- n-In they all understand.  You can call it whatever you want.  The point is, this Pocket Coach will be dedicated to helping you develop the shots that make it easier for you to play the ball Up-n-In from Around-The-Green. For the purposes of this book we will define this Around-The-Green region as the area surrounding the green within 20 yards of the green.  Some golfers may feel they can confidently play the ball Up-n- In from further out.  More accomplished golfers can decide just how far out they consider the Up-n-In region.  For everyone else, we’ll think of our Around-The-Green play as the region within 20 yards of the edge of the green. As we discuss these shots, we will establish a basic motion first, and every other shot will simply be a variation of the described basic action.  Additionally, we will focus on each type of shot as an action.   Focusing on them as actions instead of techniques will encourage you to perform in an athletic manner. As we continue to study the Around the Green arena we will also consider some additional keys to saving strokes around the green.  These keys include, knowing what shots fit each situation, making good choices, imagining each shot before you commit to playing them, programming a strong feeling of each shot, and applying a performance oriented shot routine. With this in mind, we are going to cover a range of shots that will be useful in the stroke saving arena. We will also describe which situations dictate the selection and execution of each type of shot.    I encourage you to train each shot on a regular basis.  I recommend you organize a shot routine to help develop confidence in your ability to execute each type of shot.  If you train this routine regularly, you will be able to play your Up-n-In shots without hesitation. Finally, playing your short game shots with confidence will require using your imagination and your sense of feel.  As with anything in life, strengthening your imagination and heightening your sense of feel will require regular training.

This is the table of contents from Stroke Saving Shots.  It may give you some insights as to the topics covered in the New Horizons Golf Approach Pocket Coach Volume Ten. Table Of Contents Prelude Part One – Playing Around The Green Know The Shots Make A Choice Imagine The Shot Identify The Feel Put It Into Action Swing-Sayings The Strength Of Imagery Part Two –  Training The Shots Back-N-Thru Shots Tossing Shots Clipping Shots Cut Under Shots Splashing Shots Brush The Wood Train, Train, Train Part Three – The Summary Review The Shots Let’s Play Golf

Let’s Play G-O-L-F TM Playing for a target score is only one way of implementing an on course strategy.  I believe to truly play the game you cannot worry so much about your scoring strategy.  I think everyone is aware of how well they are scoring, and they know they need to score as low as they can.  So, since the idea of scoring is always present you do not need to focus on it.  Instead, focus on playing the game. Truly playing the game involves feeling a game that fascinates you.  It involves striving to play the type of game you usually dream of playing.  It’s about finding out your potential and manifesting it in your play.  It’s about engaging yourself in the ongoing drama of sport.  It’s about absorbing yourself into the possibility of expressing your true potential.   It’s about Gaming Out Life’s Fascinations. So, when you walk out on the golf course, I’m inviting you to take the plunge, to go for it.  I’m inviting you to play golf without putting so much emphasis on scoring low.  Win or lose, score low or high, enjoy the adventure, keep a good attitude, and take something away from every round that makes you a more accomplished golfer.

New Horizons Golf Approach I n n o v a t i v e  C o a c h i n g  F o r  G o l f e r s