Golf Training Aids - Chipping

Having control of your short game is critical to your golf game, and knowing when and how to pitch or chip is essential to mastering your short game. One powerful golf training aid is to have a plan ready for when the situation occurs that you're off the green but only by feet or yards. This is when you need to use your chip shot.

Chipping is when you are so close to the green that you're talking feet, not yards (or at least not more than a few yards). When you chip, what you want is to hit the ball with a low curve. The idea is that you lift the ball for a small part of the distance, with the intent of dropping the ball on the green and letting it roll for the majority of the distance.

Are you always going to chip when you're that close? Of course not. If you're in a bunker you'll need a bit more loft, and you'll probably pull out your sand wedge. If you're in heavy rough you may need more height to clear obstructions. But generally speaking, the chip shot is a powerful tool that you'll use on a regular basis.

What iron will you want to use for a chip shot? The vast majority of skilled players choose a 7-or 8-iron, something like the Taylor Made 8 iron or the Callaway 7 iron. (If your skill level isn't typically low handicap or professional, you may want to pass on the TaylorMade R7- and 8- iron and the Callaway Fusion 7 iron since these are designed for those players.) Callaway makes some excellent game-improvement irons as well, as do many other manufacturers.

Whichever club you choose as your preferred tool, don't stick with only that one. Different situations require different techniques and may require a different club. Practice with several so that you can see what works best on different slopes, different roughs, and even different wind conditions.

Getting back to the golf training aid topic, what is your strategy for chip shots, and do you have golf chip shot practice routines to keep improving?

When practicing, here are a few important points to remember:
  • Don't try to "scoop" the ball into the air for extra height. This often results in positioning yourself too far back and hitting the turf before the ball.
  • If you need to gain a little extra height, you may want to try a different iron.
  • Chip strokes more closely resemble a putting stroke than a full swing, and generally have less wrist action.
  • The chip shot should travel through the air for a short distance and roll for a longer distance.
  • Slope affects loft - an upslope increases it and a downslope decreases. Plan for that change. Now adjust your club either up (for a downslope) or down (for an upslope) by one or even two; maybe shifting to a pitching iron or even a sand wedge on a downslope and maybe a 6-iron or 5-iron on an upslope.


Golf Training Aid 1: Hard Surface

One practice routine that is a powerful golf teaching tool for chipping is to step off the course and practice on a hard surface such as a sidewalk or a stone patio. (Tip: Practice on a softer surface, such as bare dirt first, so that you don't damage things, including your club. Another tip is to use an old iron that you don't mind damaging - the exact iron isn't important for this exercise.) Many players tend to hit the ground before they hit the ball when making a chip shot. By practicing on a hard surface, you'll find yourself becoming very aware of when you hit the ground. After a few bad strokes, you'll find yourself automatically adjusting to the correct position.

Remember, you want to hit the ball on the down stroke. Don't try to nail the ball; instead make your goal to be to hit the ball only 15-20 yards - with this practice exercise a harder swing may hit the ground after a correct hit on the ball.

Golf Training Aid 2: Downslope

Another routine that can improve your chipping is to practice on a downslope. Since you'll get less loft, these shots can be quite difficult at first. This golf training aid can be another powerful tool for you. Once you've gotten comfortable here you'll be surprised at how easy a level green shot seems.

A good guide for positioning yourself for a chipshot is to place the instep of the foot (right for right-handers, left for left-handers) that is farthest from the hole in line with the ball. Set yourself in an open stance with your feet six or eight inches apart and place slightly more than half your weight on the foot closest to the hole. Position the club so that your off-arm and the club form a straight line left-to-right down to the ball.

Remember that your chip shot can have a tremendous impact on your level of play, so practice, practice, practice!

 

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