Reboot your chipping fundamentals to start seeing more success around the greens!
Having a solid chipping game isn’t just a great way to quickly lower your scores, but it’s also a good way to take pressure off of your long game and putting. That’s because, even if you mishit your drive or miss a green on an approach shot, being a good chipper can lead you to a closer putt – taking out the difficulty of reading greens and worrying about distance control with the flat stick.
Our goal today is to get everyone reading this to become more comfortable chipping the ball. We are here to provide you with 10 ways to accomplish that.
Good Posture
The same posture that helps create good contact with your full swing should be the same in your short game, including chipping. So, when you are chipping, it is important to bow forward from the hips and allow your arms to hang. This will help the setup be balanced and create a path underneath the shoulder line, which will lead to solid contact through this natural path.
When chipping, it is typically recommended to grip down on the handle lower. However, it is crucial to always remember to stay in correct posture. This means avoiding the bad habit of bending over too much. So, when you grip down, simply step in so that your arms can still hang with your hands directly below the shoulders.
The ball position while chipping should be a center stance to slightly back. If it’s too far forward, it can increase the loft, which doesn’t make sense for the type of shot you’re looking to produce – one that rolls more after hitting the ground.
Pre-Shot Routine
Everyone should have a pre-shot routine in the full swing, and that shouldn’t change when you’re chipping. First, set the club behind the ball, which is also when you want to aim the face. Next, place your hands lower down on the grip of the club, which helps with accuracy. This also starts the process of having good golf posture, so remember to bow, allowing your arms to hang beneath your shoulders.
Now, step your feet to find your proper distance and posture from your club, while maintaining athletic balance. Finally, lean both your body and the club equally towards the target, making sure your sternum and head are slightly on the target side of the ball.
When you lean towards the target, remember that you want to lean both your body and the club equally forward, allowing your sternum and head to be slightly on the target side of the ball. This is to help the club hit the ground and brush the grass after the ball – which is perfect for even the tightest of lies.
Technique and Contact
Once you feel confident with your technique and contact, it’s time to work on controlling distance on your chips, which can lead to shots closer to the pin.
As mentioned earlier, a chipping stroke is smaller, but there isn’t a one-size-fits-all for every golfer. It’s important to define what’s most comfortable for you. Some may prefer smaller strokes, while others may prefer slightly larger strokes.
A general rule to keep in mind is not to let your backstroke be larger than hip level. If it becomes too big, you risk hitting a shot that’s too hard and may roll off the green.
Once you define your most comfortable stroke size, make an effort to repeat it as often as possible to create consistency with each chip.
Learning to brush the grass consistently is a tricky part of chipping that many amateurs often struggle with but is critical in producing a good result.
A helpful tip is to take three practice swings that brush the grass both back and through.
Distance Control
The most efficient and low-maintenance way to control distance is to learn one basic stroke size and then change the club. Once you define your most comfortable stroke size, repeat it with all of your wedges. You can build your own yardage chart for chipping by learning one stroke and hitting different clubs, then writing down the results for each (including a note about how far the ball travels, including roll).
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to keep the stroke size relatively equal both back and through. This not only helps with contact but also prevents deceleration of the club, which can cause it to dig into the ground.
Finish and Balance
Good chippers often hold their finish, and this is a great opportunity to check your balance and make sure the stroke was equal all the way through.
Understanding Landing Area and Roll
To become good at chipping the ball, you need to understand where your landing area is in order to get the proper roll. This can be different when using a variety of clubs.
If we could choose just one club to use while chipping, it would be a pitching wedge. A pitching wedge is known to carry about one-third of the way before rolling the other two-thirds. However, there are other club options to consider:
- Sand wedge: one-half carry, one-half roll.
- Gap wedge: two-fifths carry, three-fifths roll.
- 9-iron: one-quarter carry, three-quarter roll.
By understanding these fractions, you can determine the best landing spot for the shot in front of you. Focus on chipping close enough to tap in your putt.
With these 10 ways to improve your chipping contact and control your distance, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more confident and skilled golfer. Practice these techniques and incorporate them into your training routine. Happy chipping!
Leave a Reply