Tip From the Archives

Address Your Chips

Problem

You are suddenly having a hard time with your chip shots.

Cure

Check your setup to the ball because one of the major errors golfers have while chipping is setting up incorrectly.

Therapy

You probably know that it is important to have your hands ahead of the ball for good chips but many players set their hands too far forward. As long as the shaft of the club is leaning slightly towards the target it will be enough to get the ball rolling properly on the green. Be certain to set up with the majority of your body weight on your forward side and to have this distribution at impact. Keep your forward wrist flat throughout the entire shot. One thing that is greatly overlooked by players is the position of their forward shoulder. It is essential that you keep it square to your line and down through impact.

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9 votes

 
Ken Grether | 3 years ago, mid-February

Good Advice....This is my worst area of the game. My set-up seems ok, but I consistantly hit this shot thin. How do I stop trying to lift the ball...or is the ball to far forward?

swanie | 3 years ago, mid-February

Ken ... I used to struggle with this, too ... mentally, I had to stop thinking about 'scooping' the ball ... instead, I needed to close the club face more and begin thinking about 'striking' the ball during the descent ... there's very little, if no wrist break ... i still accelerate through the ball ... distance is determined by length of back swing ... seemed to help me a lot. Hope it helps you.

swanie | 3 years ago, mid-February

Ken ... one more thing ... when I used to hit my chips thin, I noticed that the club was in line with my right arm (back arm) at contact ... this is caused by the right hand trying to close the club face ... i think this is called 'flipping' ... instead, I had to focus on keeping the club in line with my left (foreward) arm ... thus, my hands are 'ahead' of my club head at contact, not 'even' or 'behind' ... the club face is closed by rotating my hips ... almost all the swinging is done with my hips, not so much with my arms ... the right hand is quiet. Hope that helps.

Ken | 3 years ago, mid-February

Swanie...Thanks, I've already pressed print. I live in Minnesota and have way to much time in the off season. Time to get the mat out in the garage and go to work...This one tip alone would make a huge diference in my game. Appreciate the time.

Michael Henry | 3 years ago, mid-February

swanie, Another tip on the same theme. Keeping your wrists passive during the swing, does not mean gripping the club as though it were a slippery eel,ie with a tight grip. Have always been a good chipper of the ball.My saviour in matchplay and competition on many occasions. I found very recently that my lead shoulder which I considered to be square, was in fact 20-25degrees open.As soon as I rectified that, ALL shots with all clubs lasered in on the target again. Practice every day here indoors in North east China.Pays dividends when the weather improves.Good luck

Bibby | 3 years ago, mid-February

I always used to thin my chips because i always lifted my head to see where the ball was going. I now don't look up until it is natural to look , or when my shoulder is under my chin. :)



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