(From a 2005 golf column by Tom Patri)

As each teaching season draws to a close, only for the next one to open up, I often look back to see if there was a theme, or common thread that existed in my messages through my teaching. This year there was and it will continue to be the same one as it has been in the past – short game.

Equipment boggles my mind. Where next? Big heads, exotic graphite, utility clubs, and the list goes on. Golf course conditions continue to improve, turf has come light years. The superintendents in our area do a wonderful job. They are the foot soldiers along with every club’s chore of assistant golf professional. These are the folks Who keep our club alive. Please take some time this week to seek out these folks and say a sincere “Thank You.”

How about Chris DiMarco putting his best foot forward and rebounding in New Orleans? That takes a huge belief and pure guts. These players now on tour are so much more physically talent it is scary. Add to that being schooled as kids on technique, how hard some of them work out there on their games, it is no wonder how low some of them score.

This next week I’m off to Las Vegas for a corporate outing, then off to Columbus, Ohio, for some work with one of my junior players, Chad Merzdacher. Chad is 10 and ready to conquer the world. He recently broke 70. That is right, 70. A 68 to be exact Wow!

Chad plays great golf already and has so much time to continue to big-time improve. He is the most focused little boy I have ever seen. I will keep you posted on him.

Questions for you folks out there in newspaper land: What would happen if you isolated time for short game on a regular weekly basis and every chance you got you chipped and putted? What do you think would happen if you followed a plan that made you accountable for all you said and did and it related to your short game? How many short game shots do you suppose the average man or woman flat give away? How many short game shots could you save if you had simply a sound, fundamental motion and inserted various lofts? Tons. Four a round, five or six. We’ll split the average number in half – 5. That would mean 2^1/2  shots off your handicap.

I also believe short game fundamentals act as a basis for full swing improvements. In case you have not noticed, the last couple of columns I’m on a mission to get you folks off the chair and go get after your short games!