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10 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2026 | Here is a golf tip you can take to the course or practice during our Pitch, Putt & Party events, held on the rst Tuesday and third Sunday of every month on the Executive Course. It's a fun, relaxed way to sharpen your short game, gain condence around the greens, and enjoy an evening with fellow golfers. Master the Pitch Shot and Save Strokes One of the quickest ways to lower your scores isn't hitting the ball farther — it's improving your pitch shots. Whether you're 20 or 60 yards from the green, a solid pitch shot can turn bogeys into pars and pars into birdie opportunities. A good pitch shot starts with a solid setup. Position the ball in the center or slightly back of center in your stance, with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Keep 60 to 70 percent of your weight on your lead foot and maintain it there throughout the swing. Many golfers make the mistake of shiing their weight backward in an eort to li the ball into the air. Trust the lo of the club to do that for you. e swing should feel simple and controlled. ink of your shoulders rocking the club back and through while your body rotates toward the target. Avoid using your hands to scoop the ball. Instead, accelerate through impact and allow the club to brush the turf aer striking the ball. Your distance should be controlled by the length of your swing — not by swinging harder. Before every pitch shot, take a moment to evaluate your lie. A ball sitting on top of the grass is ideal because the club can easily slide underneath and create spin. A tight lie requires excellent contact, so keep your weight forward and make a condent swing without trying to li the ball. When the ball is sitting down in the rough, expect less spin and more rollout because the grass reduces the clubface's grip on the ball. If the ball is sitting up in the rough, it will usually come out higher but still release more than a shot from the fairway. Finally, don't aim for the hole — aim for a landing spot. Picture where you want the ball to land on the green and let it release naturally toward the cup. is simple change in focus dramatically improves distance control. Like any golf skill, pitching improves with practice. Spend time hitting shots from dierent lies and experimenting with various landing spots. As your condence grows, you'll nd that saving strokes around the green is much easier than trying to make them up o the tee. e best short-game players aren't always the most talented — they're simply the golfers who consistently execute the fundamentals. I hope this helps you with your golf game. If you need any instructions, come see Eric Andersen or David Goldstein for a lesson. ~ David Goldstein II, PGA, Director of Golf From the Pro Shop Sun Lakes Country Club is a wonderful community where many volunteers work together to ensure that the governing documents are adhered to and the management companies understand the needs of our residents. These include the Master Board and the District Delegates who are elected by the homeowners of Sun Lakes. Others are the various committees approved by the Board to aid in the overall operations of Sun Lakes. It takes a village to maintain the best kept secret in Southern California! We are thankful to that village who take time out of their busy lives to help keep Sun Lakes Country Club the place we all love. Unfortunately, there seems to be some confusion about the role of a delegate and the role they enjoy as a resident. Delegates are involved, as residents, in the Pass Alliance group, even though not everyone agrees with the mission; and we have delegates involved, as residents, in the Sun Lakes Accountability group, even though not everyone agrees with their mission. Each person believes in the mission of their group and has a right to participate as they do in any club or group. We need to respect each other's beliefs. Our delegates have a responsibility to their district, the Delegate Assembly and our community. Although not everyone agrees with the position of some of our delegates when they are working as a resident, please give them the same respect that you would want to receive. After attending the recent Welcome Home reception and listening to Carol Tasko's comments during the HOA Board reports, I am reminded of the good qualities of the residents here in Sun Lakes. Remember, smile and share the qualities that make us great. Delegate Assembly Report

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