Chip or short range shots

Question
dan
I am an occasional when I havethe time golfer so I am not that serious yet.
I understand the basics of driver shots and putting, but my short game sucks.
I just cant chip the ball either for a few feet to get it up the incline and on the green (most of the greens are raised where I live-I think its weather related), or for those short iron shots.
Can you give me some basic instructions! I am a lefty btw. Thanks!

Answer
Dear Bud:

Thanks for asking these question.  

First of all, in golf, tempo is very important for every shot: driver, iron, short iron and chipping.  Please try to develop smooth/slower and consistent tempo when swing.  

When you are doing chipping, please put the ball to the back when you stand. In your case (lefty), ball should be closer to the left foot passing the middle point.  This will promote the down-blow hitting, so the ball will fly with lower height.  You can use Pitching Wedge or 8/9 iron(s).  The ball will roll from the fringe of the green. This will work for the most greens.  

However, since your course has a raised green, you may want to hit the ball with more height.  As you move ball from the left foot to the center and hit it, the ball will fly higher. Please be careful not to fall backward after the swing.  You will end up hitting ground the back of ball.  One way is that you need to ankle your inside of left foot/leg on the ground firmly.  

Also, practice half swing, three quarter swing, or even one quarter swing.  With tempo I mentioned earlier.  This swings will be especially important for the distance of 50 - 120 yards (I mean the distance for iron 8, 9, pitching wedge).  

By investing time and practice in this area (chipping and short game), you will see much improvement in scoring.   

Please see my articles in http://myLearnGolf.wordpress.com for more tips.   

Thanks for asking, and I hope you will have a great golf season this year.

- dan