Augusta, GA

1 crucial short-game shot pros need at Augusta National

Published

8 months ago

April 8, 2025

Press Room

1 crucial short-game shot pros need at Augusta National

By:

Zephyr Melton

April 8, 2025

Having a “bump-and-check” shot in your bag is crucial for success around Augusta National.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta National is a course that requires every shot in your bag — and that’s especially true around the greens. When an approach caroms off the slick putting surfaces, those who have creativity with their wedges are the ones who find the most success.

No one knows this fact better than GOLF Teacher to Watch Parker McLachlin. McLachlin — aka the Short Game Chef — is a former PGA Tour winner who now works as a short-game instructor. He’s worked with various pros over the years, and on Tuesday he could be seen at Augusta’s practice facility working with five-time Tour winner Sam Burns.

“The firmness of the greens, the speed of the greens, and the slope around the greens makes for a huge challenge,” McLachlin says. “That’s the difficult part.”

With such intricate green complexes highlighting this famed Alister MacKenzie design, players need to have tons of tools in their arsenal to get up-and-down. However, there’s one shot players need that is crucial for competing at Augusta — and it’s unique to this tournament.

McLachlin explains more below.

1 crucial short-game shot for Augusta

Most people have heard of the bump-and-run, but around Augusta, that shot doesn’t work as well as in other places. With how quick the greens are, you need a bit of spin to keep your ball from racing off the surface. For that reason, McLachlin says it’s crucial to know how to hit what he calls the “bump-and-check.”

“Think about long of No. 15,” he says. “You’ve got to bump it into the hill, but it can’t be a bump-and-run. If it is, it’ll roll off into the water on the other side. And you can’t hit it high and stop it because you’re into the grain and you can’t spin it as much and landing on a downslope. So you have to hit a bump with a little check.”

So, how do you hit a bump-and-check? It’s a bit like a bump-and-run, but with a few key adjustments.

McLachlin recommends playing the ball a bit back in the stance with your weight and the handle of the club leaning a bit forward. Open the clubface a bit and then make an out-to-in swing path. If you catch it right, it should come out a little low and check on the second bounce.

You may never get a chance to play Augusta National, but with this shot, you can at least play a shot that the pros use.

ShortGameChef.com, created by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin, provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short game. Through personalized tips, drills, and expert insights, Parker helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.

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Augusta, GA

Through pain, acid victim still smiling as she recovers in Augusta

Published

11 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Through pain, acid victim still smiling as she recovers in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A Savannah woman faces a long road to recovery after a stranger attacked her with acid that ate through her clothes and covered 50% of her body with burns.

Ashley Wasielewski is trying to recover after receiving a first round of emergency surgery at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.

The attack happened last Wednesday at Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park when a man stepped out of the shadows and poured acid all over Wasielewski.

The recovery has been extremely difficult, according to her friend Kristen Oddi, of Marietta.

Most of the burns have been diagnosed as third-degree, covering over 50% of her body, Oddi wrote on a GoFundMe page.

She said it’s unlikely one burned area of Wasielewski’s scalp will ever grow hair again.

She added that the most crucial next step is to see if Ashley’s body will accept the cadaver skin from a recent surgery.

If that happens, skin graft surgeries will proceed, Oddi said.

Plastic surgery is ahead for her, but there’s no timetable yet.

Beyond that, Wasielewski faces rehabilitation, occupational therapy, wound management, long-term support and follow-up.

For now, she’s stable, according to Oddi.

Women suffers third-degree burns in Forsyth Park acid attack; Community concerned(WTOC)

And despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, she’s smiling in a photo from her hospital bed, with little other than her eyes and mouth visible through openings in gauze that covers her face.

“She will come back so much stronger,” Oddi said. “That, I don’t have a single doubt about.”

The investigation continues

Police are looking for the suspect and have spoken with two witnesses.

They’re hoping to speak with a third person whose photo they posted and to find the driver of a vehicle that was spotted nearby.

Meanwhile, the FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for tips.

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Augusta, GA

AU’s Healthy Grandparents program holds Christmas party

Published

23 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

AU’s Healthy Grandparents program holds Christmas party

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University’s Healthy Grandparents program had its Christmas party Sunday.

Santa is continuing his trip across the csra and was at the party to give presents to the kids.

The program was started in 1999 to support grandparents raising their children.

They help with necessary services like food assistance and transportation.

We spoke with one of the grandparents about the program.

“My grandchildren love it. They do a lot of things going on the year, like summer camp and all that stuff, book bag, getaways,” said Carolyn Thompson.

The program has helped more than 660 families, 900 grandparents, and 1,300 grandchildren.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Men Drop Overtime Thriller to Georgia College and State – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Augusta Men Drop Overtime Thriller to Georgia College and State – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – In a game that saw 19 lead changes, Georgia College and State prevailed over Augusta 99-91 in overtime Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars fall to 2-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 6-7 overall. The Bobcats are now 3-0 in conference play and 6-2 overall.

C.J. Jones of GCSU was the star of this one as he poured in 42 points to lead all scorers and also grabbed eight rebounds in the win.

The Jaguars fell behind midway through the second half, but with just one second left in regulation, T.J. Baker hit a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. But in the extra period, GCSU outscored AU 18-10 for the winning margin.

Luis Nonfon, who had another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, started the scoring in overtime and gave the Jags the 83-81 lead. GCSU then rattled off five straight points to take the lead, one they would not surrender.

The Jaguars had five players in double figures led by Elías Pálsson who tallied 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds. T.J. Baker and Tobias Prall each had 18 points while Charlie McBeath scored 13.

Augusta hit on just 35% of their shots from the field while GCSU hit on 52.5%. The Bobcats outscored Augusta 46-22 in the paint and went 8-18 from three-point range while Augusta finished 10 of 29 from deep. From the foul line, both teams went 29-36.

Other than Nonfon grabbing double figures in rebounds, Pálsson eight rebounds and was a perfect 12-12 from the foul line.

Next up for the Jaguars will be a battle with Reinhardt University on Thursday at 11 a.m., part of Columbia County Education Day.

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