Stephen Szurlej / J.D. Cuban
Left: Choke down a few inches on the club and use your putting grip.
Column courtesy of Golf Digest
Course setup can dictate not only the kind of curvature you want on approach shots but also trajectory. When the greens are firm and the pins tucked, you need to hit it high to hold the green or get it in there close.
To hit the high ball, you have to produce more backspin, which is the result of more swing speed. Try gripping the club at its full length and making a bigger motion -- a higher follow-through and fuller finish. I also might move the ball up in my stance about half a ball and make a little different release to really throw it up in the air. For example, my left wrist is bowed through impact on low shots. On high shots, though, I don't keep the back of my left wrist pointing to the ground as long. That different hand action can add loft for a high flight.
Depending on the lie, you might want to place a little more weight on your right foot at address. That will help you keep your weight behind the ball and not on top of it. Staying on top of the ball is more of a knockdown position for most players.
Try my 4-iron chip shot
Bump it over the fringe and let it roll out
My short game has improved tremendously just by adding more clubs to my chipping options. I've had particular success with a 4-iron on those long chips where you just want to land the ball on the green and let it roll out. I used that shot a few times in the British Open at Hoylake three years ago to get the ball on the ground quickly on those tricky greens.
I use my putting grip (a reverse overlap) because it helps keep my hands working together. Everything else is fundamental to good chipping. I set most of my weight on my left foot and position the ball back of center in a narrow but slightly open stance. That helps me make a descending blow into the back of the ball. But before I do anything, I read the break and pick a spot just over the fringe where I want to land the ball.
Just like on a putt, I try to keep my head still long after impact. That helps me hit the ball solidly and start it on line.
Ask Tiger
What was the biggest flaw that crept into your swing when your knee was hurting?
-Cullen Alexander from Odessa, Texas
I could never drive into my left leg through the swing. If I did, it really hurt. I feel great now and can do the things [swing coach] Hank [Haney] has wanted me to do.
Have you put anything new in the bag this year?
-James Vincenzo from Phoenix
I'm using the Nike SQ Dymo 380 Prototype with 8.5 degrees of loft, the Nike VR TW blades (2-iron through pitching wedge), the Nike 56-degree VR sand wedge and 60-degree SV L-wedge. I've also been experimenting with some different driver shafts.
How long does it take you to get over a bad round, especially at a major championship?
-Lindsey Velez from Winnetka, Ill.
Usually I need about 10 minutes after a round to decompress and collect my thoughts. Once I do that, I'm fine to talk to the media and do the other things I have to do. Sometimes it's tough because we don't have a set cooling-off period like most other sports do.