Counting chip ins

Question
Hi Kim,

This answer is hard to find.  In our Women's League we have a "chip-in" pool, and we count all putts.  I've been told that if a putter is used to hit a ball that is off the green and the ball is holed on that shot, it is not considered a chip-in.  The USGA calls this shot "putting" the ball, since the putter was used, but it wouldn't be counted as a putt, either, I wouldn't think.  My thought is that it would be counted as a stroke, but neither a putt nor a chip-in, e.g, player would score her total strokes as 5 with 0 putts (but no chip-in). Please clarify or correct me if you would be so kind.
Thanks a million...Fran

Answer
Hello Fran

You are correct in that it is not generally counted as a putt.  I do not think the terminology of "chip in"  will be in the rules of golf as far as what is and isn't.   I looked for 20 minutes and came up empty handed.  For many years I counted it as a putt whether it went in or not,  because I used a putter as you said,  I was keeping track of my putts,  for my own stats,  not chip ins.  Later on when golfing with the Men's Club in the Daily Game and there was money on the line for "fewest Putts"  it was agreed that only putts from on the green were counted as putts. This is my logic, if you use a driver from the fairway,  it is not a drive, right?  If I holed out from off the green with a putter,  and I am in a chip in pot,  I feel I chipped in.  The ball was holed from off the green.  The USGA definitions do not define either putt or chip-in.   I think your group should make a decision before play and clarify the status.  I have holed out a full 7 iron shot and got chip in money,  we had a guy with a hole in one collect chip in money too.  So I think everything is fair for everybody if everyone knows ahead what the criteria is,  we all have the same chances either way.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  if anyone in your group gets worked up over this,  tell them, or your entire group, to keep Golf in Perspective, it is a game after all, that we play by choice. It has beautiful surroundings and fresh air, a little exercise with camaraderie and laughter.  Golf is supposed to be fun !  see my golf instructional and travel site at www.walkersgolfventures.com