CHIPPING  -  “PUTT” Your Chips

There is much confusion regarding the difference between a CHIP and a PITCH shot.  I see players around the green making shots which seem to be a hybrid of the two, which can be effective IF you know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.  Having clarity in your shot-making, knowing the difference between the two shots, will help eliminate many missed shots. 

So what is the difference between pitching and chipping?
The difference between the two is defined not by the club you choose or the size of the swing, but by the motion you make with your arms and wrists.  A classic chip shot is a one piece pendulum, putting-like stroke.  A pitch shot is essentially a shortened swing with nearly all the necessary principles of motion that your full-swing requires, but in a short space. Which shot could be more accurate for the player?  The chip, by far, because there are fewer moving parts which can break down.  You may have heard the advice, “Putt if you can, chip if you can’t putt, pitch only if you must.”  In the hierarchy of shot making, the putt is the most accurate, then, in descending order, chipping, pitching, full-swing irons, fairway metals, and driving.    

Why then do so many players struggle with chipping, a shot which ought to be the second most accurate shot in their bag?
Players struggle with chipping because they mistakenly have too many moving parts, i.e., excessive wrist hinging, weight shifting, head moving, etc.  Generally, players know that they should be relatively “quiet” with their chips, but something causes them to scoop, finish on the back foot, peek, and/or any number of other flaws.  But what is the root cause of such errors?  From hundreds of conversations with students, it’s evident that the root cause of most chip shot errors is the player’s DESIRE to get the ball UP in the air.  In other words, the mental focus on "UP" creates physical errors of scooping and lifting, which leads to skulls, chunks, toe shots, chilly dips, and stubs. 
 
We could say that the chip shot is counterintuitive.
Of course you want the ball in the air to carry over the rough stuff, but with this desire in mind, you’ll undoubtedly try to “help it” up.  Think instead, PUTT YOUR CHIPS.  Head still (no-look putt), body still, rocking the arms and shoulders are keys to good putting, AND keys to good chipping.  Since your chip shot is your lag putt that you should have had, simply lag “putt” with a lofted club.  The more you make your chip shot feel like a putting stroke in nearly every way, the more consistent you’ll be with contact, direction, and distance control.
  
If your chips have been all over the place and costing you strokes around the green, master this shot first.  Then you’ll be set to pull off the more tricky stuff like the check-up chip, flops, and more.

SET UP: Slide hands down on the grip – the shorter the club the more CONTROL (9 iron vs driver). Hands and weight toward the target - promotes the downward CONTACT that you're looking for (without forcing it). Stand closer to the ball – allows the club to track straighter along your target line (less of an arcing path) for better DIRECTION.		STROKE: A simple “brush the grass” stroke back and through, like you would use for a long putting stroke; shoulders and arms, no wrist hinging.

“GO LOW” DRILL:  Set up two baskets or flower pots upside down with a club across them.  Make a stroke as if you want the ball to go UNDER the club. In doing so, you get the OPPOSITE EFFECT!  The ball flies OVER! Notice that my clubhead is below the club on the baskets on my follow-through.  Remember, it’s counterintuitive.  Think low! Go low! = UP This drill is the best for helping you develop a technically sound chipping stroke. You’ll be surprised, as nearly all my students are, how successful you’ll be with this drill - dramatically improving your contact and eliminating most errors.

NEXT:    Shortgame club selection and strategy