Chipping

I hope you enjoyed the tips on fairway shots.

Next we are going to look at chipping.

Part 1: Driving The Ball
Part 2: Fairway Shots
Part 3: Chipping
Part 4: Putting

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Part 3: Chipping

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This is the point in a golf game that many golfers have trouble with. Mainly because chipping requires a bit of delicacy, it is much easier to botch up a shot or overshoot the hole. There are some good strategies you can use when chipping the ball up onto the green.

There are two parts to a productive short game: the plan and the execution. The plan simply means defining your shot before you play it. You should decide where you plan to land the ball and the distance it will roll. The plan should include landing the ball on the green whenever possible of course and playing the best percentage shot. I understand that this is easier said than done, but you still need a plan.

Since you are striking the ball for a shorter distance than with a full swing, you should choke up on the club, narrow your stance, and stand closer to the ball. Imagine the shot you are about to play and make a practice swing to estimate the swing you will require. You should swing the club with arms and shoulders, and with some wrist break. The key to shots around the green is to "keep the arms moving."

As with any other golf shot, choosing the correct golf club is vital to an good chip. First of all, chip shots are basically those played from right off the green. Most are known as "bump and runs." Don't confuse them with pitches, which are lofted shots with a sand-wedge.

Many of us have been told over time to get the ball onto the green as soon as you can and let it roll to the hole. There is nothing wrong with this of course but the issue of concern is when the golfer goes around playing different length of chips with an assortment of clubs.

They will hit a 9-iron if the flag is 20 feet away, 8-iron thirty feet, 7-iron forty feet, and so on. You really should choose ONE club to hit each of your "bump and runs" with, and adapt for the distance with the power of your swing. It can be a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, wedge, or sand wedge. It really doesn't matter much.

For example, Phil Mickelson likes to use his sand wedge in just about every case. He'll play it far back in his stance, with his hands way in front to bump it. On the flip side, Corey Pavin will often use a 5-iron around the green. He'll just tap it and the ball will go scampering across the green with a lot of top spin.

These are extremes, however. The art of chipping is difficult enough without having to master four or five clubs. Practice with just one or two at first. You should hit short "bump and runs" from the fringe and then longer "bump and runs" from in front of the green.

In part 4 we'll discuss putting.

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