Seven Keys To Highly Effective Chipping

There are only three ways of getting a ball close to the hole from a short distance—a chip, a pitch, and a lob. The pitch and the lob are lofted shots. They're great when you have an obstacle, like a bunker or deep rough, in the way. The chip is a flatter shot with considerable roll. It's ideal when there's no obstacle between you and the hole.

I encourage players taking my golf lessons to opt for the chip shot whenever they can. It's easier to hit than a pitch or lob, so there's less chance of making a mistake. It's also the fastest way of getting the ball on a predictable surface that can accommodate a less than perfect shot. The sooner you do that, the more control you'll have of the shot and the better off you'll be. So whenever you have a choice, go for the chip shot.

Keep It Simple
Some players try to complicate chipping. I see it in my golf instruction sessions all the time. That's not good. Usually, the more complicated you make something, the more chance for error. That holds true for golf as in life. So keeping things as simple as possible on the course reduces your chances of making mistakes and boosting your golf handicap,

If you're one of those players who think chipping is complicated, take a look at the seven habits below. Ingraining them not only simplifies chipping, it also improves your capabilities and builds confidence.

Habit #1: Simplify Ball Position
On chip shots, you need to position the ball so that it rests just before the bottom part of your stroke. How do you determine that? Get in the habit of taking a few practice strokes before hitting the ball. They'll tell you where the bottom part of your swing is. Then apply that knowledge to your shot.

Habit #2: Hit Down And Through
Poor contact when chipping is when the club hits the ground before the ball. That spells disaster. It interferes with the shot and inhibits the clubface from doing its job. Get in the habit of swinging down and through on the ball when chipping. That takes the ground out of play and results in crisper contact.

Habit #3: Pick Out A Target
The key to hitting a good chip shot is picking out a target on the green, hitting it, and letting the ball roll to the hole. Develop the habit of always picking out a target on the green. A drill I use in my golf lessons to improve accuracy involves placing a set of targets at various lengths from the golfer when practicing and then working on hitting them with a chip shot. This exercises improves accuracy.

Habit #4: Don't Get Fancy
When it comes to selecting a chip shot, keep it as simple as possible. Don't choose a fancy shot, like a Phil Mickelson-type flop shot, when a simpler and safer shot, will do. If you miss the fancy shot, you could find yourself in big trouble—and cost yourself a lot of strokes.

Habit #5: Study The Course's Geography
Before playing, study the course's geography. Is there one feature that will dramatically effect how a ball is played? In the mountains, the ball tends to break toward a certain ridge. On the seashore, the ball tends to move toward the water. Learn how the land drains, make a mental note of it, and use it to your advantage when playing.

Habit #6: Study The Grain
Learn the grain of the green, especially if you are playing on Bermuda grass. Go to the center of the practice green and roll some balls toward the fringe in each direction. Make a mental note of what happens and keep it in mind chipping.

Habit #7: Develop A Sound Set-up
Your goal should be to develop a sound basic set-up and swing—one that you can use on every chip shot and that enhances your chipping. If you need to get loft on a shot, try a sand wedge or a lob wedge. You'll generate more loft and less distance with these clubs without having to change your set-up or stroke.

Improving your chipping isn't easy. It takes practice, dedication, and a willingness to make changes in your game. But working on creating the right golf habits in your chipping pays off. Ingraining them turns three shots into two and chops strokes from your golf scores and your golf handicap. It also builds confidence. In golf you can never have too much confidence.


Copyright (c) 2008 Jack Moorehouse