Golf Chipping Tips - 4 Tips and a Drill to Save Par
If you have missed the green with your approach shot, you've got to have a great chip shot in your bag to get it close to the pin and save par. The best chipping tip there is, is simply practice, practice, and practice.
I know guys who will intentionally miss the green if they think their approach shot won't land within 10 feet of the hole. This is particularly true on undulating greens with tricky breaks. Having confidence in their chip shot, they know they can take the break out of the green by lofting the ball over the break and getting it close to the pin. For these guys, chipping is just as effective as putting. If you aren't hitting greens in regulation, you really need to develop this shot and be able to use it with confidence.
So here are the basics of chipping.
Tip 1 The Setup
Your posture remains the same as any other shot. A straight spine and aligned shoulders hips and toes is essential. What's different is you will want to put 70% of your weight on your leading leg. Also you want to make sure your sternum is in front of the ball which means you will be leaning slightly forward.
Grip the shaft at the base of the grip. This really shortens the club and gives you more control. Move your hands and the shaft to your leading leg so that your left arm is parallel to your left leg.
Tip 2 The Swing
The chip is like a mini iron shot and you want to hit down and through the ball. In the set up, the club may be slightly off the ground and that's OK because you want to strike the ball at the bottom of the swing. It is really important that you be totally relaxed in this swing.
If you want to loft the ball more, then your finish should have the club face pointing up at the sky. If your intention is to run the ball, then the club face should be pointing at the target.
Tip 3 How To Relax
Take a tip from breathing relaxation techniques. When you are set up take a deep breath. As you swing, breathe out through your mouth evenly. So long as you are breathing out, your muscles will remain relaxed and you'll make a smoother swing.
Tip 4 What Club Should You Use
The answer to this question depends on how far away you are from the pin and if you want to loft it there or run it there. Here's a rough estimate on how far the ball will fly compared to how far the ball will roll based on the club:
Gap wedge 1:1. Pitching wedge 1:2. Nine iron 1:3. Seven iron 1:5
As I mentioned in the beginning, practice is the best tip. Here's a little drill that will allow you to develop confidence, regardless of the club you choose.
Take two clubs and place them on the practice green about 3 feet apart. Now take your club of choice and try to land the ball between the 2 clubs. Mix up the clubs you use for the shot so you can get a feel for how far the ball will roll after landing.
If you can get the "feel" for the chip, you are going to amaze, and probably tick off, your golfing buddies. It's a great shot for the amateur to develop and will go a long way in reducing your score.
please visit my website for more information and to buy links at affordable rates.
I know guys who will intentionally miss the green if they think their approach shot won't land within 10 feet of the hole. This is particularly true on undulating greens with tricky breaks. Having confidence in their chip shot, they know they can take the break out of the green by lofting the ball over the break and getting it close to the pin. For these guys, chipping is just as effective as putting. If you aren't hitting greens in regulation, you really need to develop this shot and be able to use it with confidence.
So here are the basics of chipping.
Tip 1 The Setup
Your posture remains the same as any other shot. A straight spine and aligned shoulders hips and toes is essential. What's different is you will want to put 70% of your weight on your leading leg. Also you want to make sure your sternum is in front of the ball which means you will be leaning slightly forward.
Grip the shaft at the base of the grip. This really shortens the club and gives you more control. Move your hands and the shaft to your leading leg so that your left arm is parallel to your left leg.
Tip 2 The Swing
The chip is like a mini iron shot and you want to hit down and through the ball. In the set up, the club may be slightly off the ground and that's OK because you want to strike the ball at the bottom of the swing. It is really important that you be totally relaxed in this swing.
If you want to loft the ball more, then your finish should have the club face pointing up at the sky. If your intention is to run the ball, then the club face should be pointing at the target.
Tip 3 How To Relax
Take a tip from breathing relaxation techniques. When you are set up take a deep breath. As you swing, breathe out through your mouth evenly. So long as you are breathing out, your muscles will remain relaxed and you'll make a smoother swing.
Tip 4 What Club Should You Use
The answer to this question depends on how far away you are from the pin and if you want to loft it there or run it there. Here's a rough estimate on how far the ball will fly compared to how far the ball will roll based on the club:
Gap wedge 1:1. Pitching wedge 1:2. Nine iron 1:3. Seven iron 1:5
As I mentioned in the beginning, practice is the best tip. Here's a little drill that will allow you to develop confidence, regardless of the club you choose.
Take two clubs and place them on the practice green about 3 feet apart. Now take your club of choice and try to land the ball between the 2 clubs. Mix up the clubs you use for the shot so you can get a feel for how far the ball will roll after landing.
If you can get the "feel" for the chip, you are going to amaze, and probably tick off, your golfing buddies. It's a great shot for the amateur to develop and will go a long way in reducing your score.
please visit my website for more information and to buy links at affordable rates.
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