What Constitutes A Chip Shot in Golf?
Question
Eddie,
What constitutes a chip shot? Is it distance from the green, an abbreviated swing, is it dependent on the club used, or is it something else? At a party last night, we had at least six golfers who all had a different opinions and no one could agree on one answer.
Thx in advance for your help,
Dave
Answer
Hello Dave:
The question is always what is the difference between a chip shot and a pitch shot? My answer is always that a chip shot (assuming a good lie) is within 15-20 feet of the green. It is a shot that will have very little air time and more ground time. Once the ball is outside that range, the golfer now needs to make a bigger swing to get the ball to the green. So a pitch shot is a shot that would have more air time and less ground time. Note that those distances are individual and obviously could vary. But we describe a chip as a shot close to the green, within 15-20 feet that would have very little air time and more ground time. A pitch shot is outside that area, say up to 40-50 yards, that would have more air time and less ground time. Hope this helps.
Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member
Custom Fitting
To Change Drivers or Not