FAIRWINDS, July 18, 2025 (excerpted from Fairwinds Golf Club website) — While searching online for practical golf insights, we came across timeless tips from the Fairwinds Golf Club blog, originally posted in 2014 and 2015. PGA of Canada professionals Brett Standerwick (now at Prime Golf in Nanaimo) and Hélène Delisle (Head Teaching Professional at Fairwinds) shared valuable techniques for lag putting and chipping that remain just as relevant today.
We’ve condensed two of their best into easy-to-digest formats below...
The Importance of Lag Putting
By Brett Standerwick, PGA of Canada Class A Professional at Prime Golf in Nanaimo (info@prime-golf.ca | 250.585.5010)
Many golfers overlook that distance control matters more than stroke mechanics or reading the green. With most first putts landing 20–30 feet from the hole, even tour pros only sink about 1 in 15—so the real goal is getting close enough for an easy second putt.
The key? Develop good tempo, a consistent setup, and a feel for green speed. Most golfers rush their stroke. Instead, relax. Let the putter’s natural motion guide you. As Ben Crenshaw learned, “the putter moves itself.”
To tune in your distance control, practice repeating a short, one-foot backstroke with steady rhythm on the practice green. This “unit stroke” becomes your baseline for judging longer or shorter putts. It’s a simple, effective way to reduce three-putts and boost confidence.
Chipping Basics: Simple Adjustments for Better Results
By Hélène Delisle, Head Teaching Professional at Fairwinds (hdelisle@fairwinds.ca | 250.739.2029)
Improving your chipping game starts with a few setup tweaks and some practice.
-
Grip down on the club and stand closer to the ball
-
Position the ball two inches behind centre in your stance
-
Raise the heel slightly so the toe points down
-
Keep wrists firm and weight forward (on your front foot)
-
Swing with smooth rhythm—your follow-through should be about 20% longer than your backswing
-
A great checkpoint? At finish, your clubface should be flat enough to balance a glass of wine
Chipping takes time—if progress stalls, consider a lesson to fine-tune your stance and swing.
To see the full collection of tips, visit:
🔗 https://fairwindsgolf.wordpress.com/tag/golf-tips/
Unless otherwise noted, all images are credit — courtesy facility / organization.
Sources:
• “Golf Tips,” Fairwinds Golf Club – https://fairwindsgolf.wordpress.com/tag/golf-tips/ – originally posted 2014–2015, retrieved July 18, 2025.