Pro Tip – How to improve your chipping

WORDS João Tomáz

Adjusting your stance, grip and body weight at set-up will help you achieve this. It is helpful to have some simple swing thoughts when you practice your chip shots.

Power is not required to chip, BUT we must have control. Adjusting your grip, your stance and your body weight in the same way as when you prepare for a full-swing set-up will give you more control.

Adopt a narrow stance when hitting your chip shot. I don’t advocate putting your feet together for most golfers, as this will generally give poor balance. A stance similar to that you would adopt when simply standing in line is a good rule of thumb.

A good chipping action should be driven by the shoulders and the upper body, similar to when you are attempting a long putting stroke. You need to ensure that you keep the wrist movement to a minimum.

When chipping, it is important to aim to recreate the impact position of a full-speed swing during set-up. At impact, the hips should be open, and your body weight needs to be on your front side. At the address, position your feet and hips left of your target (this is for the right-handed golfer and the opposite applies to the left-handed golfer).

Your shoulders must still point at the target (not left). This allows your swing path to stay on a good line towards the pin but does not let your hips and legs obstruct the swing.

Set up with approximately 60%–70% of your weight on your front leg.

Your hands should be well forward of the ball – this will ensure that the club shaft will point to your left hip.

Finally, raising your rear heel slightly through impact will prevent you from having too much weight on the back foot – a sure-fire way to hit the golf ball fat or thin.

Hopefully, this chipping drill will help you achieve a consistent strike on the golf ball and another step towards improving your score and round. 

To be continued next month.

 João Tomáz – Head Pro Coach Espiche Golf

jtomaz@espichegolf.pt

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