Navigation

Pro Golf Tips: Time to Chip

by Bob Augustine

In our learning journey backwards from the green to the tee, we now move off the green. When we move just off the green and can no longer putt, we add some loft to the club and start chipping.

A chip shot is generally defined as a shot with minimum air and maximum roll. I call it putting with loft, because the techniques are so similar. We can use almost any club to chip, from the three wood to the sand wedge. What determines the club is the ratio of air to roll: how far the ball has to fly in the air and how much roll it needs after landing. Keep in mind that it is always preferable to land the ball safely on the putting surface so that the first bounce will be a consistent one. The lower the club’s number, the lower the trajectory will be and the farther the ball will roll.

The address for the shot is very similar to that of putting with these differences: set the club down behind the ball with the club face square; bend from the hips and try to get your eyes over the ball as in putting. This will mean that you will have to set the club on its toe and you will have to grip down quite a bit so that your arms will hang at full length. You may use either your full swing or putting grip. Now move the handle forward a couple of inches and stand directly across from it. This will lean the shaft forward and reduce the club’s loft. Add some weight to your forward side. You may open your stance a bit but be sure that your forearms and shoulders are square. The length and pace of your swing will determine how the ball flies in the air and the loft that you have chosen will determine how much the ball will roll. The stroke is the same as putting, an arm and shoulder pendulum stroke. If done correctly, the ball will be struck with a slight descending blow with the bottom of the arc target side of the ball. If there is one law that you cannot break, it is that the club’s head must never pass the grip until the ball is gone.

When practicing, try to find one club (probably your sand wedge) that will stop the ball quickly and another club (6 or 7 iron) that will give a good amount of roll. Now you will have two different shots that will fit most chipping situations. Keep in mind that your worst putt will usually be as good as your best chip. Keep that principle in mind when choosing the shot you are going to play.

Bob Augustine is a PGA instructor and the director of instruction at Peninsula State Park Golf Course.

Article Comments