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January 22 , 2008
"The Art of Chipping"
Most players blame that 6 or 8 foot putt they missed to salvage par when the fact is it was a poor chip shot that caused the bogey. If you think about when you miss a green a nice chip shot sets you up for that very makeable putt, however a poor chip shot could result into a three-putt double bogey. The world’s best players make only half (½) of their putts from 6 feet. If they reduce that distance down to 3 feet they are almost automatic. The key to recovering and scoring well is to chip well.
One of the biggest mistakes that you see amateurs make is that they do not use different clubs to chip with. Most would benefit by learning to use a variety of clubs to hit the chip shot with. Chipping with just one or 2 clubs forces you to adjust your swing to hit various shots. Most scratch players have learned that they are better off when they use the least-lofted club that will pitch the ball onto the green. Less loft will create less backspin. This will allow the ball to roll out straighter and more consistently. With a less lofted club your angle of attack does not affect the spin of the ball as much also. With a less lofted club you also create a shorter more compact swing that makes it easier to judge the distance. On a chip shot it is important that you do hit the bottom half of the ball before the club makes contact with the ground.
When setting up to hit a chip shot with different clubs you should: Grip down on the longer clubs so that the length of each will be about the same as your pitching wedge. Then, a very narrow stance with about 60 or 70% of the weight on the front foot. The position of the ball should be about on the inside of the back foot while the position of the hands should be on the inside of the front foot. From their make only an arms and shoulder swing making sure to keep the wrist firm throughout the shot. It should feel almost like a putting stroke.
An estimate for distance of carry and roll would be close to: 5 iron – 25% carry + 75% roll, 7 iron – 33% carry + 67% roll, a 9 iron 50% carry + 50% roll, a PW 60% carry 40% roll, and a SW 75% carry + 25% roll. Practice this shot with these different clubs twice a week for 60 minutes and I will be willing to bet that you see more 3 foot par putts and less 6 footers.
Good Luck & Good Golfing
Harry
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