Chipping can be the most frustrating part of your golf game. Most players make chipping more difficult than it really needs to be. They over-use their hands and wrists by trying to help the ball into the air. This action either blades the ball over the green or adds too much loft and the ball falls short of the target. To make chipping as simple as possible try the following:
- Open your stance so that your feet, hips and shoulders are aimed to the left of the target
- Place your feet close together so that you have a very narrow stance
- Place 80% of your weight on your left foot
- Position the ball in the back of your stance almost in line with your right toe
- “Choke up” on your club which means move your hands down the shaft a little
- Lean the shaft of the club towards the target so your hands are ahead of the ball
- Use your shoulders to move the club back and forth just as you would with your putter, keeping your hands and wrists out of the stroke
- Control your distance by the length of your back swing; for example, the longer the back swing the farther the ball will go
- The club face should be facing the target after finishing the stroke
Instruction provided by Steve Benton, PGA Professional