Chip is a low running shot used close to the green and differs from a pitch shot. Pitch shot is usually hit from far away and is much higher and stops more quickly. There are various types of chip shots. They require different golf clubs but all of them have similar technique and strategy.
Chip shot is used from the off edge of the green where the grass is long for putting. It is also appropriate for points up to 30 yards from green. The distance of the ball to edge of the green is less than distance from edge of the green to the hole.
Club for Chipping
Any club from the golf bag can be used for a chipping. You should select three clubs to make the shot manageable and repeatable.
- The clubs should be sand wedge, gap wedge, pitching wedge, nine irons and seven or eight iron. You can use other clubs but these are the primary set and can be safely chosen for most shots.
- Choose the club that gets the ball onto the green and let it roll out to the hole. It is better to use a club with a loft for this. It helps to keep your weight and hands forward to reduce the loft.
- Visualize the trajectory and the landing spot of the golf ball. The loft wedge will carry half way to the hole and then roll the remaining distance. Nine iron will carry one third and roll the remaining two third while the eight iron will carry one fourth and roll three forth. These distances may vary with the different players, equipments and golf courses.
Before Choosing the Chipping Club
- Examine the shot from good vantage point. Good angles for analyzing the shots are halfway between the ball and the pin or from far side of hole.
- To avoid other players from waiting, it is advisable to carry more than one clubs with you if you are walking from a cart.
- Examine the lie and if the ball is on hard ground with no cushion or is sitting down, you can go in for a lower shot.
In case the lie is poor, it is sometimes advisable to hit a bump and run shot from 100 yards.
Hitting The Chip Shot
- Try to keep most of the weight on the forward foot and is helpful in set up. It may help to visualize chipping the ball under an obstacle like a bench and then hit.
- Try to relax, make a smooth downward stroke. The forward blow will promote solid contact to get the ball airborne. This allows the golf ball to run out like a putt.
In a nutshell, if you want to know the best of chipping technique just have a detailed look at the instructions listed above. The various strategies associated with choosing, using and maintaining the chipping club.
