Golf Chipping Tips for Your Short Game

Chipping, or the chip shot, if you prefer, is likely the second most needed golf shot in the short game, behind only the putt.

You are probably, like most of us, an average golfer, more or less. Being such we tend to leave our second shot shy of the green, needing some type of chip to get on the putting surface.

There are 3 basic types of chip shots. I say basic because there are so many variables when you get close to the green. Variables include your lie, if you are just off the green 50-60 yards out, in the short rough, longer grass, in the fairway, uphill lie, downhill lie, etc. You get the picture.

The three basic chip types are the standard chip, the soft chip, and the low chip.

The Standard Chip:

We will discuss the standard chip first. This would be the shot used when close to the green, 10-15 yards out possibly. Use your 9 iron or wedge. In fact it is good to practice with both.

Mentally divide the distance to the pin into thirds. Try to fly the ball the first 3rd and roll the rest. Your ball should land on the green.

Address the ball with a narrowed stance, the club face square to the target and the ball in center or slightly back. Use a short backswing and limit your wrist break. Keep your hands in front of the club head so as to strike down on the ball.

The Soft Chip:

The soft chip setup has the ball forward some and the hands behind the club head. Open the clubs face a bit. Be sure to accelerate the club head through the ball. You are trying for minimum roll on the green.

The Low Chip:

The low chip is similar to a pitch and run.That is because the aim is to keep the shot low and roll the ball most of the distance to the pin. The low chip would best be used when there is a lot of green in front of the pin.

This shot is set up with the ball toward the rear of your stance, while keeping your hands ahead of the club head. Keep the clubs face square to the target. Adjust your backswing for the distance needed.

Use your 7 iron here and try to think of this shot as like a long lag putt. Not much distance in the air but a long roll toward the cup.

You likely will not use the low chip as much as the standard chip or the soft chip. Although it is somewhat harder to master it is very useful and powerful when done correctly

As always, practice is the best way to improve your game. Some of these chips could be practiced in a moderately large yard. I would suggest a piece of old carpet or mat so as not to tear up your yard.

I encourage you to practice as much as possible.

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