How To Chip

Choose the proper club. The chip shot is made simple by using the same swing on every shot. Your distance and amount of carry (air time) will be determined by the club you select. Remember the illustration above, which stated about one-third carry and two-thirds roll.

Certainly, chipping requires a measure of "touch" around the greens. But, by using only one chipping club, you are forcing yourself to have great touch, all the time. By having one swing, and choosing a different club, you minimize the amount of touch required. You are letting the clubs do all the work. Let's face it, a good club is more consistent than any golfer, so let it do what it's made for.

Typically, if you have a short chip, a 9-iron is a good place to start. The longer the chip, the longer the club you will use.

Survey your surroundings. In conjunction with choosing your club, you will be surveying your surroundings. In other words, look at several things you are facing, such as:

• How far you have to the hole;
• Downhill or uphill shot;
• Right breaking shot, left breaking shot, or straight;
• Slow green speed or fast greens;

With the chip shot, you will be close enough to the hole and green to be able to read the green just as you would with a putt.

After you've done these things, you'll want to pick the exact spot where you want your ball to land on its way to the hole. Then, commit to that spot. Don't waiver.

Achieve the proper set-up and address. With a chip shot, the ball should be placed in the center of your stance. With the club behind the ball, your hands should be slightly ahead of the club face. Not significantly ahead, but just ahead. Starting in this position will aid in taking the club away properly--the club head swings up in the back swing and comes in steeper at impact, which provides the optimum contact with the ball.

Place most of your weight on the left side (for right-handers, opposite for leftys). At address, most of your weight should be on the left side and maintained there throughout the shot. This keeps you from attempting a natural urge to hit up on the ball, or trying to lift the ball into the air. Do not shift your weight during the backswing.

Make a proper swing. The proper chipping swing will look like this:

• Don't break (hinge) the wrists.
• Keep weight on left side.
• Take club about one-quarter of way between the ball and your waist.
• At impact, the center of the club face should contact the ball, with the leading edge digging into the ground a bit. This will give you the desired loft on the ball.