All golfers are aware that the short game is important. To help you improve your short game, here are some great golf chipping tips for you.
First off, let’s begin with the disclaimer that there are many types of chips you can make, once you get close to the green. In other words, there is no single approved method for getting the ball closer to the hole. Ultimately, the effectiveness of your chipping depends on the lie you have, the length of the grass, how far you are from the hole, and the condition of the green.
Without further ado, delve into the tips and types like the low chip shot, soft shot, and standard chip. And on top of these tips, we’ll give you a few helpful drills for good chipping skills.
Standard Chip
Let’s kick off our golf chipping tips with the standard chip.
This shot is played when you are close to the green, but not exactly on it quite yet. Specifically, players can swing this out of the fairway or rough. Generally, golfers play it with either the nine-iron or any wedge that they are comfortable using. The rule of thumb is that a good chip can and will fly about one-third of the way to the cup, and then roll the rest of the way.
As a player, it is important to know the amount of roll you need.
The certain shot should be played in the center of your stance, your hands well ahead of the ball, a short backswing, and the club face squared.
Soft Shot
As we proceed with our golf chipping tips, we will take a look at the soft shot. This type of shot allows the ball to fly further and land softly. In terms of distance, the ideal is a soft landing close to, and hopefully rolling a short distance into, the cup.
For a soft chip shot, the most common club to use is the lob wedge, but the sand wedge can also be used by the player.
When it comes to address, you should address the ball with your club face slightly open. More importantly, play the ball forward and keep your hands behind it during your swing. It is imperative that you learn how to accelerate the club head for this type of shot, along with a short backswing. If performed and executed correctly, the ball will fly high for a short distance, then softly land and followed by a little bit of rolling.
Low Chip Shot
In the event that there is a lot of green between you and the hole, you might want to try the low chip shot. Normally, this shot is done with a mid-iron, such as the six, seven or eight-iron. This type of shot is usually performed from the short rough or fairway.
With performing it, the golfer must play the ball towards the back of your stance in order to get the descending type of impact that is needed. Again, remember to keep your hands ahead of the club head and the club face squared with the target during your swing.
The low chip shot creates the most roll once the ball lands on the green. It is great to use and carry out when you can aim right at the hole, but you’re also worried about going too far past it. This very case can occur if a sand trap or water hazard is close to the rear side of the hole.
Quick Drills
Alongside the tips you gain and hear, a few drills can allow you to work on your overall chipping and short game. Regardless of the shot type, these seven games or drills can help with the skill of estimating the distance and maintaining the proper stance.
• Triangle Chipping Drill: When swinging the club, the upper body should be primarily engaged, as the wrist and arms are not mainly used.
• Hula Hoop Chipping Drill: As you begin getting the ball into the hula-hoop distance, the likelihood of succeeding your up-and-down increase.
• Trail-Hand Release Chipping Drill: For proper hand movement and placement, this conditions your body to remain a consistent position.
• Chip-a-Coin Chipping Drill: Coins can begin to make dents on your club. If possible, players should use an old wedge for this specific drill.
• Slam-Dunk Chipping Drill: This helps with training your chips and pitches with more accurate distances.
• Par 18 Chipping Drill: More of a game than a drill, golfers can begin to work on scoring on the green.
• 10 x 10 Chipping Drill: As previously mentioned, it is crucial to master your short game. Try and let go of your habits with how you carry out long drives, and now focus on mastering the short game.
A Piece of Advice
Above all the tips and advice you can hear, the best golf chipping tip a player can get is to practice by regularly using all of your chip clubs — from mid-irons to wedges. Each and every one of them requires its own setup and swing, and the only way to master all of your options is to get to the range and put them to work.
As a guide, start with the standard shot and move into the soft shot next. These two shots are the ones you are likely to use most on any given day of golf. Once you have the pair mastered, you can move into the low shot. It is important to note that this may take more time to learn than the others, but it is well worth the investment of time and effort.
By putting these golf chipping tips to work for you, you can begin to master your short game and achieve the lower score that you want. Time after time, be patient and keep practicing!
Let us know below how these drills and tips have worked in terms of improving your short game.
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