GOLF TIPS

Golf Tips - The Chip & Run

he CHIP SHOT shot is a “must have” skill for any player. However, it is especially important for higher handicap players to master this shot because they tend to miss, or come up short of, more greens.

Like putting, a professional can teach the basics, but only practice, practice, and more practice can give a player the feel for the speed of the green and how hard to hit a shot.

Remember!

	The primary objective is to get the ball on the green.
	This is not a shot for every situation around the green. For example, if you have trouble to go over, and not much green between you and the pin, the Short Lob Shot may be your best bet. OR, if you are on the fairway, putting gives you a greater chance of getting the ball close to the pin.
	Don’t be a hero! Don’t try to finesse the chip shot and get close to the pin.

Club Selection

Avoid the “one club for all shots” approach. Club selection should be governed by two main factors:

Type of shot

Lie

For chip & run from a good, reasonably 'clean' lie – use an 8 or 9.
Also, see the Short Lob Shot and Playing from Hardpan.

For shorter shots, with less run and/or a more 'difficult' lie - use more lofted clubs, e.g. Pitching Wedge or Gap Wedge and maybe Sand Wedge or even Lob Wedge.

Also, see the Short Lob Shot and Playing from Hardpan.

Grip

'Choke' down using your normal grip

Stance

Ball position should be back in stance - more towards the back foot than the center

Use a narrow, open stance

Weight more on the front foot and hands ahead of the ball - just inside front thigh

Swing

Think of the swing like putting – a quiet body, arms and shoulders moving as a unit with no wrist cock.

As far as the length of swing is concerned, the Back Swing should be the same as the Follow Through. Think 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock.

Go through the ball - (accelerate) - don't quit on the shot

As with all good golf shots, hands stay ahead of the ball at impact.

Practice Bad Lies

Once the basics have been learned, always practice ‘bad lies’ because you play from these more often than you do good ones. Also, see Playing from Hardpan.