It’s a common notion that your scores will go lower if you have more tools to hit the golf ball close to the hole. The tools don’t necessarily mean golf clubs. They can also be some types of shots, like chipping.
If you wonder what club you should go for when chipping and how to use chip shots in your game, this article is for you.
What is The Best Club For Chipping?
The sand wedge is certainly the best club for chipping. But here’s the catch. It’s not the only club you should use for chipping.
Sand wedges help golfers generate more control and spin, and that’s one of the reasons why wedges are regarded as the best clubs for chipping. Even hybrids and irons can be used to help you get up and down.
Different Clubs For Different Types of Chips
Take a look at these clubs and know how they can change your game for the better:
Lob Wedge
Having the highest loft out of all the clubs, lob wedges can help you get your golf ball immediately up and down. While high loft brings in a lot of spin, they help you create shots that stop on the green.
The lob wedge also has a good chance of spinning even out of the rough because of the high loft and significant grooves on the club.
Sand Wedge
You can use a sand wedge for chipping from 75 yards and in, and it’s a real champ up close to the green.
The sand wedge is easy to handle and control. When you chip with it, the ball spins like crazy, and it stops dead on the green. If you find yourself using the sand wedge in the rough, away from the green, it might be time to switch things up in your strategy.
And for all you beginners out there, if your golf set didn’t come with a sand wedge, go ahead and grab one.
Pitching Wedge
With the pitching wedge in hand, think about hitting the ball about halfway to the hole and then watch it gracefully roll the rest of the way. If you’re on the green, and the pin is at the far end, this wedge will help you move closer. It’s the smart choice for making that ball do exactly what you want.
Gap Wedge
A Gap Wedge is like that middleman between your sand wedge and pitching wedge, and it often gets overlooked for chipping.
When you’ve got a gap wedge, expect it to send the ball a bit farther than your sand wedge. So, when the pin is hanging out at the back of the green, and you need some lift to reach it, this club’s your go-to. Plus, it gives you a tad more roll compared to the sand wedge.
The gap wedge is fantastic for those longer bunker shots around the green; just grab your gap wedge and swing it like you would with your trusty sand wedge.
Irons (9-7)
You know, golfers can get pretty creative when it comes to chipping. I’ve seen folks try to chip with just about every club in the bag, even the 4 and 5 irons. But let’s be real. Those situations are a bit rare, and most of us tend to stick with the 9, 8, and 7 irons.
Now, the nine iron gives you a bit more distance. When you step up to the 7 iron, the ball won’t just land and stop; it’s gonna roll quite a bit.
On a links-style course with a long approach to the green and the pin way back, grab your 7 iron. Make a smaller swing, and watch that ball go all the way to the pin.
But remember, the 7 iron chip doesn’t stay in the air for long. So, if you’ve left yourself in a tight spot near the green, it’s not the club to pick.
Chipper
The beauty of a chipper is that it makes chipping feel like a walk in the park. Just swing it like you would your putter. It’s shorter than your regular clubs, making it a star for those bump-and-run shots, and the odds of messing up a chip shot are pretty darn low. It’s a game-changer.
Hybrid
Some golfers are all about using hybrid clubs when they’re near the green, going for those long bump-and-run shots. It’s almost like they’re replacing their putter when they’re on the fringe. The hybrid can give you more control in these situations compared to using a wedge.
Although, the hybrid won’t help you out when you’re chipping out of the rough. It just doesn’t have enough loft to work its magic and get that nice roll to the green. So, keep that in mind when choosing your club for different shots.
How to Know What Club to Use When Chipping?
Here’s how you can determine which club to use while chipping:
1. Distance to the Pin
Get this: the distance to your pin will determine how much loft you need in the weg=dge. When you are closer, you’ll need more loft. So make sure you leave plenty of space on the green so it becomes easy for you to choose different kinds of golf clubs.
2. The Lie
Try different lies by dropping a bucket of golf balls and playing each of them as they lie. It’s like one of your trial-and-error methods.
3. Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Having a favorite club will help you with your confidence while increasing your swing speed and control over the direction of your golf ball.
4. Green Speed
Choose a higher lofted club when the green speed is high.
5. Spin
Ask yourself questions like how many spins you get with your shots. If the score is low, switch to a golf ball that has a higher greenside spin.
Final Thoughts
Just by being aware of the clubs that you could potentially use for your chipping shots, your game improves drastically. So, your goal is to improve your game, and while it’s on its way up, keep adding different shots to your bag to see bigger results in your game.
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