Key Takeaways
- A strong short game, especially effective chipping, is crucial for lowering your golf scores.
- Mastering how to chip a golf ball involves a precise setup, a smooth, controlled motion, and a clean impact.
- Key setup elements include a narrow, slightly open stance, ball position slightly back of center, and forward weight distribution.
- The chipping swing should be like a pendulum, driven by shoulders and arms, with minimal wrist hinge.
- The “bump and run” is a versatile chip shot for when you have plenty of green to work with, using lower-lofted clubs (7-9 irons).
- Choosing the right club depends on the ball’s lie, distance to the pin, green speed/slope, and any obstacles.
- Consistent practice with drills like the “Ladder Drill” and “One-Handed Chipping” is essential for skill development.
- Avoid common mistakes such as decelerating, scooping, excessive wrist hinge, and looking up too early.
Golf can be a tricky game, filled with moments of great joy and sometimes, a little frustration. Have you ever felt like your score gets high because of what happens right around the green? A strong short game is super important for dropping your golf scores again and again. When you can’t hit those short shots well, especially your chips, it often leads to a lot of frustration and adds extra strokes to your score. This makes learning how to chip a golf ball a really important skill to get good at.
This guide is made just for you! It’s a full look at how to chip a golf ball with lots of confidence and steady results when you are close to the hole. We want you to feel sure about your next short shot every time.
We promise this guide will teach you the main chipping techniques, show you different kinds of chip shots like the “bump and run,” help you pick the best golf club for chipping, and give you great practice drills. All of this will help you really improve your short game and get closer to the hole. Get ready to turn those frustrating chip shots into real score-savers!
The Foundation: Understanding Basic Chipping Technique
To really get good at chipping, it’s important to understand the basic chipping technique. This involves a proper setup before you swing and a smooth motion during your stroke. Let’s break it down step-by-step to build a solid foundation for your short game.
Setup for Your Chip Shot
Your starting position, or setup, is key to making good contact with the golf ball. It sets the stage for a successful chip shot. https://golfingexplorers.com/proper-golf-stance-setup-foundation
- Stance: Getting Balanced
When you get ready to chip, stand with your feet close together. Think of it like they are about one golf clubhead apart. Your stance should be a bit narrow and slightly open, meaning your lead foot (the one closer to the target) is pulled back just a little. This narrow, slightly open stance helps you stay steady and turn your body well as you swing. This stability is crucial for consistent ball striking. - Ball Position: Where to Place It
The position of the golf ball in your stance is very important for clean contact. For most chip shots, you should place the ball slightly back of the center of your stance. You can even put it level with your trail foot (the foot farther from the target). This ball position helps you hit the ball first and prevents you from hitting the ground too early (a “fat” shot) or hitting the top of the ball (a “thin” shot). Getting this right is a big part of achieving a crisp chip. - Weight Distribution: Leaning Forward
To make sure you hit down on the golf ball, you need to put most of your body weight on your lead foot. Think about leaning 60% to 70% of your weight towards the target side. This forward weight distribution helps you make a “descending blow” into the ball. This means the club is moving downwards when it hits the ball, which is perfect for consistent impact and getting the ball to pop up properly. - Grip: Hold Light for Control
When you hold the club for chipping, slide your hands down the grip a bit, “choking down.” This gives you more control over the club. Also, make sure your club handle is a little bit ahead of the clubhead when you are ready to swing. This is called a slight “forward shaft lean” and it helps you make solid contact with the ball first, before hitting the ground. Don’t grip the club too tightly! A light grip helps you feel the club better and keeps your muscles from getting tense, which leads to a smoother stroke. This gentle grip is crucial for touch and feel around the greens.
Motion: How to Swing Your Chip
Once you’re set up, the actual swing for chipping is small and controlled. It’s different from a full swing, focusing more on rhythm and precision.
- Shoulder Rock: A Gentle Swing
Think of your chipping swing like a pendulum swinging. Your shoulders and arms should move together, leading the swing. It’s a lot like how you would make a putting stroke, but a bit bigger. This pendulum-like motion, driven by your shoulders and arms, helps you be very consistent and control where the ball goes. This smooth action ensures a reliable golf shot. - Minimal Wrist Hinge: Keep Them Firm
One of the biggest secrets to good chipping is keeping your wrists firm. Try not to bend or move your wrists too much during the swing. If you hinge your wrists too much, it can cause problems like “scooping” the ball (trying to lift it up with your hands) or “flipping” the club (where your hands move too much at the bottom of the swing). Keeping your wrists steady helps you hit the ball cleanly and consistently. - Quiet Lower Body: Stay Steady
Your hips and legs should stay very still during a chip shot. Imagine your upper body turning gently around your spine, but your lower body should be quiet and stable. This keeps your body from moving too much and helps you control the golf club better. A stable lower body is important for a precise greenside shot.
Impact & Follow-Through: Finishing Your Chip
The moment the club hits the ball and how you finish your swing are just as important as your setup and motion.
- Descending Blow: Hit Down on the Ball
For a good chip, you need to strike down on the golf ball. This means the club should hit the ball first, and then immediately after, it should brush the grass right under where the ball was. This “descending blow” is super important for making crisp contact and getting the ball to react the way you want it to, whether it’s to roll or stop quickly. This solid contact is a hallmark of good chipping. - Low Follow-Through: Point to Your Target
After you hit the ball, keep your club low to the ground as you finish your swing. Your clubface should point right at your target. This low follow-through helps create a steady and repeatable swing motion, which means your chips will go where you want them to more often. It also helps control the ball’s flight path (trajectory). This finishing position reinforces good chipping form.
Versatility Around the Green: Mastering the Bump and Run Chip Shot
Not all chips are the same! Learning the bump and run chip shot adds an important tool to your golf bag, giving you more ways to get the ball close to the hole. This golf shot is all about getting the ball rolling on the green quickly.
When to Use It: Roll Over Airtime
The bump and run shot is perfect when you have a lot of green between your golf ball and the hole, and there are no big challenges like sand traps (bunkers) or very long grass (deep rough) that need a high shot. It’s especially good if your ball is sitting on short, tight grass. The goal with this shot is to make the ball land softly and then roll a long way towards the hole, almost like a long putt. This greenside shot is a fantastic option for controlling distance.
Technique Adjustment: Low and Rolling
This chip shot is different from a regular, higher chip. For a bump and run, you will use a golf club with less loft. This means clubs like a 7-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron are often great choices. Using these clubs makes the ball fly lower and roll much more once it hits the green.
The setup for the bump and run is quite similar to your basic chip. However, you will usually play the ball a bit further back in your stance. Your swing will be shorter and more controlled. The main idea is to get the ball on the ground as quickly as possible so it can start rolling towards the target. This focused, compact stroke is key for this type of golf shot.
Club Selection for Bump and Run: Mid-Irons are Your Friends
For the bump and run, choosing the right golf club is super important.
- 7-Iron / 8-Iron / 9-Iron: These clubs are the best choices for making the ball roll a lot and stay low to the ground. Their lower loft helps the ball land gently and then roll out smoothly across the green towards the hole. This makes the bump and run shot very easy to control and highly effective when the conditions are right. You’ll find these irons give you great command over the golf ball’s movement.
The bump and run is a smart way to play when you want to use the green to your advantage and reduce the chance of a mishit, especially from tricky lies.
Strategic Choices: Choosing the Right Club for Chipping
One of the most important parts of a great short game is choosing the right club for chipping. It’s not always about hitting the highest shot or the longest shot. It’s about picking the club that will give you the best chance to get the ball close to the hole, considering all the things around you.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Chipping Club
Before you even think about your swing, take a moment to look at your surroundings. Several things will help you decide which club to use for your greenside shot.
- Lie of the Ball: How Your Ball Sits
Look at how your golf ball is resting on the ground. If it’s on very short grass or bare dirt (a “tight lie”), you might want a club that lets you pick the ball cleanly without much grass getting in the way. If your ball is sitting up a bit in light rough (a “fluffy lie”), you might need a club with a little more loft to make sure the club doesn’t dig into the ground too much before hitting the ball. Your club choice heavily depends on the condition of the golf ball’s resting place. - Distance to the Pin: How Far Away is the Hole?
How far is the hole from your ball? If you have a longer chip, you might need a club with more loft to carry the ball further in the air. For shorter chips, you generally want the ball to roll more than it flies, so a lower-lofted club might be better. Knowing your distance is key to judging the right golf club. - Green Speed & Slope: Reading the Green
Is the green very fast, or does it have a lot of slopes? If it’s fast or sloping, you might need a chip that flies higher and lands softer, so it doesn’t roll too far past the hole. If the green is slower or very flat, you can let the ball roll out more, maybe with a lower-lofted club. Understanding the putting surface is vital for your chipping strategy. - Obstacles: What’s in Your Way?
Are there any bunkers (sand traps), deep rough, or other things between your ball and the hole? If so, you will need a club with high loft to get the ball up in the air and over these challenges. This is where your wedges truly shine for precision golf shots.
Club Breakdown: Your Chipping Arsenal
Knowing the different types of wedges and irons and what they are best for will make choosing the right club for chipping much easier.
- Sand Wedge (SW) / Lob Wedge (LW): For High, Soft Shots
These golf clubs have the most loft. They are best when you need to hit the ball high into the air and make it stop very quickly once it lands. They are perfect for getting over obstacles like sand bunkers or for landing on greens that are super fast, where you want the ball to roll as little as possible. These are your go-to clubs for maximum trajectory and minimal roll. - Pitching Wedge (PW): The Versatile Performer
The pitching wedge is a very flexible club for chipping. It gives you a good mix of how far the ball flies in the air and how much it rolls when it lands. It’s great for many different short game situations where you need the ball to be in the air for a moderate amount of time and roll a moderate amount too. This club offers a balanced golf shot for various scenarios. - 9-Iron / 8-Iron / 7-Iron: For the Bump and Run
As we talked about before, these irons are your best friends for the “bump and run” shot. They help you get the most roll out of your shot and keep the ball low in the air. They are especially good if your ball is on tight grass or if the green slopes in a way that helps the ball roll towards the hole. These clubs provide excellent golf ball control for specific situations.
Practical Examples: Putting It All Together
Let’s look at a couple of real-life examples to help you understand choosing the right club for chipping.
- Example 1: Over the Bunker
Imagine your golf ball is just off the green, and there’s a sand bunker right in front of you. You also have very little green to work with between the bunker and the hole. In this case, you would choose a lob wedge. Your goal is to hit the ball high over the bunker, have it land very softly, and stop quickly near the hole. This requires maximum lift and minimal roll, a classic short game challenge. - Example 2: The Long Roll
Now, picture your ball just off the green, but on a very short, clean patch of grass (a tight lie). You have a lot of smooth green in front of you all the way to the hole, and no bunkers or deep rough. Here, you would use a 7-iron for a bump and run shot. You want the ball to land short on the green and then roll smoothly like a putt all the way to the hole. This demonstrates smart golf strategy and control.
By carefully thinking about these factors and understanding what each club does, you’ll become much better at making the right choice for every chip shot.
Honing Your Skills: Chipping Drills for Consistency
Understanding the right technique and choosing the proper club are fantastic starting points for improving your short game. But to truly master how to chip a golf ball with confidence and consistency, you need to practice. These chipping drills for consistency will help you develop the feel, control, and muscle memory needed to shave strokes off your score.
The “Ladder Drill”
- Purpose: This drill helps you learn how much power to put into your chip shots for different distances. It builds your “feel” for chipping, so you can hit the ball to a target at just the right yardage. Developing this touch is key to precise golf shots around the green.
- How to Do It:
- Find a chipping area, either at a practice facility or in your backyard.
- Place several targets on the ground at different distances. You can use towels, hula hoops, or even just draw circles in the dirt.
- Start with targets at 5 yards, 10 yards, and 15 yards away from where you’ll be chipping.
- Take a handful of golf balls.
- Practice chipping balls to the closest target (5 yards) until you can hit it consistently.
- Then, move on to the next target (10 yards), adjusting your swing to reach that distance.
- Finally, chip to the furthest target (15 yards).
- Go back and forth between the targets, trying to land balls inside each one. This teaches your body to adjust the swing length and power for various short game distances.
The “Clock Drill”
- Purpose: The Clock Drill helps you improve your accuracy from different spots around the hole. It makes you practice chipping from various angles and distances, just like you would on a real golf course. This drill enhances your overall greenside control.
- How to Do It:
- Place a target, like a practice hole or even just a golf club on the ground, to act as your “hole.”
- Place golf balls in a big circle around the target, like the numbers on a clock. For example, put balls at what would be 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 12 o’clock positions. You can also vary the distances of these “clock numbers.”
- Start by chipping from the 12 o’clock position towards the target.
- Then move to 3 o’clock, then 6 o’clock, and so on.
- The goal is to chip each ball as close to the target as possible from each different position. This drill really tests your ability to adjust your chipping technique for different lies and angles, preparing you for diverse golf course situations.
One-Handed Chipping Drill
- Purpose: This drill is fantastic for improving your feel for the club and ensuring your body rotates properly through the chip shot. By using only one hand, you really focus on the lead hand’s role and how your body movement affects the club. This drill isolates key elements for better golf ball control.
- How to Do It:
- Start by holding the golf club with only your lead hand (the hand closer to the target, usually your left hand if you’re right-handed). Your trail hand can either be behind your back or just rest on your side.
- Set up for a basic chip shot.
- Practice chipping balls using only that one hand.
- Focus on making a smooth, controlled swing. Pay attention to how your body turns through the shot. You’ll notice quickly if you are using too much wrist or not turning your body enough.
- This drill helps train your lead arm to be the main driver of the chipping motion and encourages proper body rotation, leading to more consistent golf shots.
Basket/Target Drill
- Purpose: This drill focuses intensely on your chipping accuracy. It helps you aim for a very small, specific target, forcing you to be precise with your greenside shots.
- How to Do It:
- Place a small basket, bucket, or even a hat at your target distance.
- Gather a bunch of golf balls.
- Your goal is to chip as many balls as you can directly into the basket or bucket.
- Start with a closer distance (e.g., 5-10 yards) and once you get good, move the basket further away. This simple yet effective drill builds confidence in your golf ball striking and short game precision.
Gate Drill
- Purpose: The Gate Drill is excellent for improving your swing path and making sure you hit the ball with a square clubface. It creates a narrow pathway for your clubhead, helping you achieve solid contact every time.
- How to Do It:
- Place two alignment sticks (or even two other golf clubs) on the ground.
- Place them on either side of where your golf ball will be, making a narrow “gate” that is just a little wider than your clubhead.
- Set your golf ball in the middle of this “gate.”
- Practice chipping, focusing on swinging your club through this gate without hitting either stick.
- This drill forces you to keep your club on the right path and ensures your clubface is square at impact, leading to cleaner, more consistent golf shots. It’s a great visual aid for improving your chipping mechanics.
Emphasis on Practice: The Real Secret
No matter how many tips you read or drills you learn, the biggest secret to getting better at chipping is practice. But it’s not just any practice. It needs to be deliberate practice and consistent repetition. This means you need to practice with a purpose and do it regularly. Focused drills, where you are thinking about what you are trying to improve, will give you the best results and make the biggest difference in your chipping skills. Dedicate time to these golf practice sessions, and you’ll see a real improvement in your short game.
Common Chipping Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best instructions on how to chip a golf ball, golfers often make similar mistakes. Knowing what these common errors are and how to fix them can save you a lot of frustration and help you improve faster. Let’s look at some key chipping pitfalls to steer clear of.
Decelerating Through Impact
- What it is: This is a very common error where golfers slow down the clubhead right before or as they hit the ball. Instead of a smooth, accelerating swing, the club loses speed.
- Why it’s bad: When you slow down, it often leads to inconsistent golf shots. You might hit “fat” shots (where you hit the ground behind the ball first) or “thin” shots (where you hit the top of the ball, sending it low and scuttling). Both result in poor contact and unpredictable results.
- How to fix it: Imagine your clubhead swinging through the ball and brushing the turf well past where the ball was. Keep a smooth, accelerating stroke, like you’re trying to throw a golf ball underhand to the target. This maintains clubhead speed for better impact and more consistent greenside play.
Scooping the Ball
- What it is: Scooping means you’re trying to lift the golf ball into the air using too much of your wrists, almost like you’re trying to “help” the ball get up. This often happens because you’re adding too much wrist hinge or swinging upwards at the ball.
- Why it’s bad: When you scoop, you often don’t hit the ball cleanly. It can lead to fat shots, thin shots, or shots that pop straight up without going very far. The club’s design (its loft) is meant to lift the ball for you.
- How to fix it: The key is to keep your wrists firm and trust the loft of your golf club to do the work. Focus on making that “descending blow” – hitting down on the ball first. Think about hitting the front edge of the ball to ensure clean contact and proper trajectory. This fundamental chipping technique is crucial.
Too Much Wrist Hinge
- What it is: While a tiny bit of natural wrist hinge might happen for some golfers, too much movement in your wrists during either your backswing or downswing can really mess up your consistency. It makes it hard to control the clubface and where the ball goes.
- Why it’s bad: Excessive wrist hinge causes the clubface to open or close, leading to pushes, pulls, or inconsistent contact. It also makes it harder to hit the ball first before the ground.
- How to fix it: For chipping, it’s generally better to use a stroke that’s driven more by your shoulders, like a pendulum. Try to keep the shape of the triangle formed by your arms and shoulders intact throughout your swing. This keeps your wrists from breaking down and ensures a more stable and predictable golf shot.
Looking Up Too Early
- What it is: This is a very common mistake where golfers lift their head up to watch the golf ball immediately after hitting it. This is sometimes called “peeking.”
- Why it’s bad: Lifting your head early can cause your body to straighten up, change your club’s path, and shift your weight incorrectly. This often leads to “topping” the ball (hitting it high on the face) or “shanking” it (hitting it off the hosel, sending it sideways). Your focus should be entirely on the strike.
- How to fix it: To ensure solid contact, train yourself to keep your eyes down on the spot where the ball was for a moment, even after you’ve hit it. Imagine you’re trying to see the divot (the mark your club makes in the grass) if you make one. This simple tip helps you stay down through the shot and ensures you hit the ball cleanly. Maintaining focus on the contact point is a cornerstone of effective chipping.
Conclusion
Getting good at chipping is a game-changer for your golf score. A solid chipping game is truly fundamental for taking strokes off your score and making you a much better golfer overall. It’s where many shots are won or lost around the green.
Remember, mastering how to chip a golf ball isn’t some impossible task. It’s an achievable goal for any golfer! You just need the right approach, which includes understanding proper technique, making smart choices about which golf club to use, and putting in dedicated practice. With patience and persistence, your greenside play will transform.
We highly encourage you to try out the tips, techniques, and drills we’ve talked about in this guide. Don’t just read them; put them into action on the practice range and even on the golf course. When you consistently apply these lessons, you will see a huge improvement in your short game. This will, without a doubt, lead to lower scores and much more enjoyment every time you play golf. Go out there and start chipping with confidence!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best club for chipping?
There isn’t one “best” club for chipping; it depends on the situation. For high shots that stop quickly, a sand wedge or lob wedge is ideal. For a versatile shot with a mix of airtime and roll, a pitching wedge works well. For maximum roll and a low flight (like a “bump and run”), a 7-iron, 8-iron, or 9-iron is often preferred.
What is the “bump and run” chip shot?
The “bump and run” is a chip shot designed to get the ball rolling quickly on the green with minimal airtime. It’s best used when you have a lot of green between your ball and the hole and no obstacles. You typically use a lower-lofted iron (like a 7, 8, or 9-iron) to keep the ball low and encourage it to roll out like a putt.
How do I stop hitting the ground before the ball when chipping?
This common mistake (a “fat” shot) often comes from not hitting down on the ball or having too much weight on your trail foot. To fix it, ensure most of your weight (60-70%) is on your lead foot at setup and stays there through impact. Focus on making a “descending blow” where the club hits the ball first, then the ground directly under where the ball was.
Should I use my wrists when chipping?
For most basic chip shots, it’s best to minimize wrist hinge. Think of your chipping stroke as a pendulum motion, driven by your shoulders and arms, keeping your wrists firm. Excessive wrist movement can lead to inconsistent contact, like scooping or flipping the club. Trust the loft of the club to get the ball airborne.