Tight Lies during the Winter Months

Winter golf in Dallas involves dormant Bermuda grass in the fairways and rough. As a result the lies get very tight around the greens. Shots you wouldn't think twice about in the summer months now are nerve racking. I recommend to my students to use a 3-wood or a hybrid club and putt the ball if the lie's too tight to chip or pitch. Set up the same as if you're going to chip,then make a putting stroke. There's no risk of a fat or thin shot and the ball rolls true. A similar shot with a putter will bounce too much due to the lower loft of the club. It takes a little practice but the shot reduces the anxiety level around the green in the winter months.