The Pitch/Chip Difference

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   Setting the shaft at address is the major difference between pitch and chip shots.  With a chip shot your hands are set further ahead of the ball at address and as the ball is hit, the grip end of the club is leaning forward and in this manner you have essentially delofted the club.  The leading edge of the club hits the ball first and then contacts the ground.

During a pitch shot, as the clubhead strikes the ball the shaft of the club is nearly vertical and the grip is just slightly ahead.  The bounce of the club hits the ground as the ball is struck.  The bounce of the club does not allow the leading edge of the club to dig into the ground.

Fat Chip Shots

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   You can have difficulty with chip shots if you approach them with your normal set-up.  Many players have a tendency to take too much turf when chipping, there is no need to do so since all that is required is to “nip” the ball.  Don’t forget, a full swing set-up is not required when executing this type of shot.

Tips:  1)  Keep the clubface more upright throughout the swing; do this by not bending your left wrist at address.  2)  Stand closer to the ball; this will help keep your club more upright and allow for a straight back and through motion during the swing.  3)  Make sure that the hands lead the clubface through the impact zone (one foot behind the ball).

When to Chip

photo credit: mfury   Definition:  A chip shot flies low and runs after hitting the green.  The chip shot, like the pitch shot, should be used with discretion and during the correct conditions.  The time to consider executing a chip shot is when:  1)  The Green is Relatively Hard >  it’s much harder to stop a ball on a hard green using a pitch shot.  2)  Downhill Lie > It’s more difficult to play a pitch shot from a downhill lie.  3)  Windy Conditions >  A higher shot is more susceptible to wind.  4)  A Poor Lie > A chip shot is not as risky as a pitch shot.  5)  Playing Under Stress > when playing under stress it’s more difficult to hit a delicate pitch shot.

Open the Clubface

photo credit: rileyroxx   Phil Mickelson is a master of the short game.  As a boy of 6, he would spend the day in his backyard pitching golf balls in a water bucket.  You may not be Phil Mickelson but you can learn to pitch well enough to make a big difference in your scores.

Forget about the lob wedges, just practice with the pitching wedge.  Why only one club?  Because by opening the face to various degrees you can turn in into a 60 degree lob wedge. 

Technique:  Hit 10 balls with your normal set-up position.  Now, in your address position, open your clubface slightly and hit another 10 shots.  Notice the higher trajectory as you open the face.  Do not forget to swing harder as you gradually increase the loft of the club.

Delicate Chip Shots

photo credit: mrnoy9n   Many amateurs have difficulty with delicate chip shots for one basic reason, their backswing is too long.  When this happens there are usually two results:  A.  Fat or thin shots because they decelerate during the downswing.  B.  They knock the ball a long way past the pin after making solid contact.

The correct chipping technique is very similar to a putting stroke, it should be relatively short and compact.  By not taking the club back too far, deceleration and hitting the ball too far are no longer an issue.  

Taking a much shorter backswing means more acceleration through the ball.  Your follow-through should be as long or longer than your backswing.  With sufficient practice, the delicate chip shot is relatively easy to master.

Dubbed Chip Shot

photo credit: mrnoy9n   A dubbed chip shot from off the green, can not only cause great embarrassment but it can rattle your confidence for the remainder of the round. 

It all starts when the clubhead hits the ground before the ball and bounces into the center of the ball.  The ball squirts out and either remains in the rough or rolls slightly onto the green.  This type of dubbed shot is the result of trying to help the ball into the air.  The causes of this type of shot are:  A)  Too much weight on the rear foot.  B)  Hands positioned behind the ball at address.  C)  Ball too far forward.

Corrective Action:  1)  Position hands in front of the ball at address.  2)  Make sure your weight is primarily on your lead foot.  3)  Maintain light grip pressure.

Deep Rough

photo credit: akeg   The objective of coming out of deep rough is to control the ball so it lands softly on the putting surface.  The ball should land on the fringe or the very edge of the green and roll to the cup.  Quitting on a shot like this is very common, even with professionals.

Tips:  A)  Do not allow your wrists to roll over.  This will allow the clubface to remain open through impact which maintains the club’s loft.  B)  Accelerate steeply into the back of the ball.  C)  Use a 60 degree L wedge and open the face.  D)  Play the ball in back of the center position.  E)  Maintain a narrow stance.  F)  Weight mostly on front side.  G)  Break your wrists early to increase club loft.  H)  Aim left of target.  I)  Make a full shoulder turn.

The Chipping Club

photo credit: Kevitivity   Clubs made specifically for short chip shots have been around for many years, however, in today’s game they are becoming ever more popular. 

Although some players use them from deep rough off the green, the Chipper is more suitable for lies in the short fringe.  The loft of most chippers is that of a standard eight-iron.  The clubhead is fashioned more like the shape of a putter-head.

A shot with a Chipper is meant to be stroked like a putt.  The benefit is that a putting stroke is more consistent and reliable than a normal chip shot.  Another important factor is that it is much easier to  maintain the proper direction with a putting stroke. 

Why more PGA Touring Professionals don’t use the Chipping club remains a good question?

Target Your Chips

photo credit: Tom Purves   There is a method to making good chip shots.  Start making your improvements by not using the cup as your target as most amateurs do.  Pick a target where your ball will touch down.

The next question is: once the ball lands, how far will it roll?  The loft of the club you are chipping with determines distance, therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with two things: carry and roll.  

Use the following equation:  One third the distance in the air and two-thirds on the ground.  Example:  If you have 60 feet to the hole, you need to hit a shot  that travels twenty feet in the air and rolls forty feet on the green.  The trick is to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Short Pitch From Deep Rough

photo credit: eMaringolo   If you are just off the green and face a short pitch from deep grass, the best way to extricate yourself from this position is to play it like a bunker shot.

Thick grass has more resistance than sand, you have to swing pretty hard to get the ball to the green.  Open the clubface and choke down on the club a couple of inches for more control.  Remember, the clubface will have a tendency to close so make certain you open it.  Accelerate through the shot and make sure you complete your finish.

Be carefull not to just chop down into the grass.  The shot will not have much spin on it because you are not actually hitting the golf ball, your hitting the grass first.

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