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chipping

7 Lessons for Better Chipping

0 Comments
Topics: Short Game

by Cameron

It’s true. If you want to improve your golf game you really should improve your chipping. Easy words to say, but how do you do it?

Here’s my seven best lessons for improving your chipping;

Brush the ground to learn a perfect strike

Grab a piece of chalk and draw a line (perpendicular to the target line) on some carpet or a golf mat. With a clear mind attempt to hit the chalk line with the bottom of your club. Forget about all the rules and regulations that you may be used to and focus your attention on brushing (striking) the line.

When you can hit the line consistently you’re ready to introduce a ball. Place the ball about an inch behind the line and keep your focus on hitting the line. This objective will make you strike the ball first and the big ball (Earth) second.

To push yourself further close your eyes, first without a ball and then with one. When you can strike the line with your eyes closed your chipping is on the improve.

If you ever get stuck or start mishitting your chips come back to the chalk line. It’s a simple drill that will improve your short game no end. Also remember to brush the chalk line – hit it hard enough to remove some chalk but don’t bash your club into the ground. A smooth and controlled stroke is your goal.

Place the ball off your back foot

This is about as technical as I like to get. If hitting the chalk line is not working or you find it difficult – then move the ball opposite your back foot. This tip makes it easier to hit the ball first and avoid chipping’s biggest mistake – hitting the ground first.

Although placing the ball further back in your stance will result in a lower trajectory, this is much better than duffing chip shots.

Forget about the high lob shot

I know this will not be that popular but unless you’ve spent plenty of time practicing these shots it’s best you don’t use them. Better to play a shot that you feel comfortable with and one that has a higher percentage of success. For most people this will be a 8 or 9 iron (played off the back foot) that is aimed at a portion of the green.

I’m not saying never hit a lob shot. If it’s your only chance then go for it, but if you have an easier and safer option I believe you’ll be better off. This is also a hint to practice those difficult shots until you can play them with more confidence.

Don’t be scared to use the putter

It’s not weak to use the putter from off the green. If you’re not feeling good about a particular chip shot you can always use your putter. It may not be the prettiest option but it can often be the most effective. If you want to shoot the best score possible then don’t worry about playing boring shots – play the shot that has the most chance of success.

I’ve also had tremendous success using my three wood for chipping. The bigger club gives the ball the extra momentum it needs to get through the fringe and the larger sole of the three wood slides nicely on top of the grass. In other words you’ll avoid those dreaded duffed shots.

You can also chip with a 5 and 6 iron. The stroke is similar to a putt but you’re able to get extra impetus on the ball to get through rough and fairway and onto the green.

Use course strategy to avoid those nasty chips

I’m a big fan of playing to my strengths. My ball striking is my strongest asset with chipping the weakest. I have been able to play better golf and shoot lower scores by avoiding chip shots where possible. I’ll shoot away from tight pins if missing the target means I’ll be left with a nasty little chip shot.

Sure, I don’t make many birdies on these holes but I now make less bogeys or worse. I’m minimising the damage and playing to my strengths. I’m sure you’ll surprise yourself with how many shots you can save by playing smarter and away from those tricky pin placements.

This has been one of the hardest lessons for me to grasp but one that has allowed me to reach a higher level of play, have more fun and reach my potential. This type of lesson isn’t usually that popular but it’s worth exploring if you’re serious about your game.

A little practice won’t hurt

You don’t need to spend hours and hours working on your chipping game but some time is beneficial. My advice is to spend 10 minutes per week on hitting the chalk line and thinking about playing smarter rather than the pretty stuff. I know 10 minutes is not much time but this is more than most people devote to their chipping.

Don’t forget to automate

Like all parts of the game I think automation of the chipping game will take your results to new heights. There’s no short cut to automating your chipping. It takes discipline, courage and some persistence. The effort is well worth it because you’ll end up with something remarkable.

    There’s really no magic to better chipping. The biggest key is to play the shots you know you can hit. This means forgetting about hitting chips you think you should be able to play and only attempt those you really know you can play successfully.

    This strategy takes some patience. You may have to putt from off the green and play safely from difficult situations when you’ll be tempted to go for it. It’s not always fun but you will shoot lower scores and this is what most people are after. And shooting lower scores really is a lot of fun :)

    Those little shots…

    2 comments
    Topics: Articles,Golf Instruction,Short Game

    by Cameron

    I’ve been receiving quite a bit of email about golfers struggling with their short game. I think it’s time to cover some of the basics. Before I do that, there is one key issue holding most golfers back…

    They don’t practice!

    If you are continually let down by poor chipping, bladed pitch shots and duffed bunker shots, then you need to spend some time (maybe ten minutes per week) practicing these shots. There are no miracle cures. If you aren’t prepared to practice then I don’t think you can be helped. I will cover some aspects of practice below.

    Now that’s out of the way let’s get into the good stuff :)

    To master the short game (to your own unique level) doesn’t require any special skills or talent. I have found most golfers who have been playing for any length of time have good skills around the green. They can chip and pitch the ball well – but struggle to be consistent on the golf course.

    The short shots can seem easy (at least easier than the long game) and this is a problem. Golfers like to be careful and try hard with the short game – thinking that the easier the shot the more they can think about it. This is not good. You must let the short game flow and be natural. Trying hard fails. Being careful and safe is worse.

    How would you throw a ball to someone? Would you think about how hard to throw or do you look and shoot? Most people can throw a ball well by looking and then throwing. There is no complication or over thinking. A complete emptiness of approach allows throwing to be a simple and easy task. If you want to be successful with your short game then you need to follow the same approach. There is no other way!

    Thinking less can be uncomfortable, so you may need to put it into practice before taking it to the golf course. Here’s a little practice session that should work well for you.

    Take a handful of balls to the local park or pitching green. I don’t like driving ranges with synthetic grass – best you find an area with real grass. It makes the experience more real.

    Start with small chip shots. Get comfortable (most important) and feel like you’re moving the club gently through the ball. You don’t need much power at this stage. You’re only after a short shot. Your mind should be free of technical thought. Leave concepts like, wrist cock, weight shift, back swing length and follow through at home. Keep moving the club through the ball and see what happens.

    After a few shots you can apply more power. Creep up on it…don’t go for full shots too early. Gradually pick up speed, just like you would if you had to throw a ball to someone who keeps moving further from you. Once the shot feels good you can apply more power. You should be able to feel more wrist cock and a bigger back swing – but don’t analyse. Keep the club moving through the ball and observing the distance each shot travels.

    If your mind is clear and free of technical thought this should be easy for you. If you want to hit the chip or pitch further you apply a little more power and vice versa. There’s nothing too complicated. You’re simply chipping or pitching (throwing?) the ball different distances.

    You can then step this up a little by experimenting with different ball and club face positions. What happens when you move the ball back in your stance and close the club face? You should get a low running shot. What about doing the opposite by moving the ball forward and opening the club face? You should now get a high and soft landing ball flight.

    Keep experimenting and learning what you can and can’t do. It will also help to watch those better than yourself. See how they hit a high soft landing bunker shot. In your own time you can learn the same shot. The key is to keep the task simple. Try and relate your short game to throwing a ball. Keep away from technical thought and analysis. It will only slow you down.

    The big trick is to take this natural and instinctive approach to the golf course. Let the short game flow. Look at the shot and pull the trigger. Your subconscious will work out all the minor details like direction and distance – like it does when you throw a ball. If you get stuck play conservatively. If you haven’t tried a super lob in practice then don’t try it on the golf course. Best you aim for the middle of the green with a shot you know you can play.

    The short game should be fun – there are also no limits. You have fourteen clubs in the bag and you may use all of them for those little shots around the green. Tiger Woods is a master at using his three wood for chip and runs. Is this something you have tried? Or what about using your 9 iron to get out of a bunker?

    A good short game will improve your score. If you keep the process simple and strive for automation you will get better. I guarantee it – but only if you practice!

    Let me know how you get on.

    Good golfing,

    Cameron