Mastering the Chip Shot for Great Short Range Approach Shots

There are plenty of shot types you'll need to master as a part of mastering the game of golf. Some golfers can find that some shots come more naturally than others and so will need to spend a little more time practicing before each game. The chip shot is one of these shots that can be tough or second nature, a vital component of any golfer's short game you'll need the chip shot for close range shots that are just outside of putting distance or have an obstacle to clear.

Chipping doesn't require a big wind up like a pitch or tee shot and most of the back swing should be achieved by your wrists acting as a hinge going backwards. Your arms should be straight and rock back and forward in a pendulum motion as you flow through the ball. Your body shouldn't really do much during the back swing as your wrists should get the required distance on the back swing as long as you are holding the club slightly lower down and with your hands more closed and facing inward than your usual grip.

The backswing and follow through won't usually need to be above ankle height if you are on the fringe of the putting surface, for slightly longer shots you won't need to go any higher than the knee and the simple rocking motion is all you need to add the power to the shot, if you were to put any power into the shot specifically then your wrists could break and either make contact outside of the sweet spot or they could go past the flag and out the far side of the putting green.

Make sure that you are stood in the right stance initially, for a chip you need to be stood over the ball slightly and to have the ball in line with your trailing foot (for right handed golfers this will be the right foot), this should complement the way you hold the club so that the grip is slightly ahead of the club head. This can encourage the club to make contact with the ball at the correct point during your swing and give the ball the right angle of loft.

You're aiming for the ball to pop into the air but land about half way to the hole, this way it should bounce once or twice but roll the rest of the way to the hole. This rolling motion should stop near to the hole allowing you to sink an easy putt, as you progress you will be able to read the green to know where you should land your chip shots so the ball rolls downhill towards your target.

Chip shots as well as other shot types can be difficult to master, keep a track of your progress using online golf handicap calculators and golf vouchers to save money as you play.