Golf Chipping Tips

Did you know that chipping should be one of the most important shots in your repertoire? Chipping can make or break your golf game. It is estimated that 75% of all shots on a golf course happen within 120 feet of the hole. That translates into a lot of chipping, which can affect your final score at the end of the round.

What is a Chip Shot?

A chip shot is a low shot with the primary intention of moving it a very short way in the air and then to roll toward the hole. In other words, the ball pops up and then down and rolls. This is opposed to a pitch shot, which is basically thrown into the air and carries farther, sometimes landing flat with no other movement.

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Which Club

A good club for chipping would be the eight iron. A ball hit with an eight iron will roll three feet for every foot that it flies in the air. A nine iron will roll two feet for every foot through the air. And a seven iron will roll four feet for every foot in the air. The 7, 8, and 9 clubs are called short clubs and should be used for short distances or when you’re close to the hole.

Stance is Important

Your stance should be open, by maybe 30-degrees. It should be balanced. Your weight should be on your front foot. Your hands should be forward and your club head should be pointed at your target.  It is important to remember to make your hands lead your club head through the shot. The ball should be lined up with your back foot or back in your stance.

Controlled Back Swing

You’re not trying to drive the ball a great distance so your back swing should be relatively short and quick. An average golfer who brings the club back to his waist will shoot the ball in excess of about 25 yards on impact. That is a lot of power. So go easy. You’re stronger than you think in this instance. Be careful not to come too far under the ball, which will send it skyward and too high. By the same token hitting the ball too thick or on top will result in the ball traveling too far that over shoots the pin.

Practice in Back Yard

One of the best golf chipping tips is to practice with several different clubs to see how you handle the chip situation as well as how each club responds. That is the best way to know which club to use in a real game situation. This practice can be done on the driving range or in the back yard, where you can set up different length shots using buckets or glasses and then getting into your stance to practice the correct chip shot that works for you.

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