An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 12-17-2007
Chipping Definition and Introdution
Let's begin by defining a chip shot.
A chip shot is shot around the green that has 1/3 air and 2/3 roll on its way to the hole.
Another way to say it is a chip shot is a shot that is hit with minimum air and maximum roll. You
use a chip shot when the golf ball is off of the green and you are unable to putt. This will carry
the ball over the fringe without a lot of height and then roll the rest of the way to the hole. On
the other hand, the definition of a pitch shot is a shot that has 2/3 air and 1/3 roll on its
journey to the hole.
Chipping - How this Shot can Lower Your ScoresThere
are a couple of reasons why this part of the game is so important. Anytime you can put the ball on
the ground instead of in the air you will have more control over your golf ball. You will be more
accurate and your distance control is easier to learn.
When to use the Chip ShotRemember my mantra I have
used for the past 25 years: PUTT before you CHIP and CHIP before you PITCH, PITCH before you SAND
and SAND before you LOB. If you have a chance to putt the ball go ahead and do it. If there is some
grass or uneven terrain that you think a putt won't go through smoothly, chip the golf ball. If you
can not reach the green SAVELY with 1/3 air then it is time to pitch the ball with a pitching wedge
first, a sand wedge secondly and lastly with a LOB wedge. Ok, so there is a little bit of grey
area, some golf courses are either very firm or there are parts of the world where there is not a
lot of grass around the green and yes it would be best to use the Texas Wedge (putter). The ground
can be so firm you could not hit a pitch shot if you tried, that is when you put the method aside
and putt the ball. Otherwise, keep the golf ball as low to the ground as possible.
It doesn't matter how close or far your chip shot is from the hole, there is only one swing that
you have to learn. The distance the ball travels is controlled solely by the club you select. We
will discuss this later in more detail.
As I said earlier, a chip shot is 1/3 air and 2/3 roll. If you can't get the ball safely on the
green with 1/3 air then it is no longer a chip shot, it would be a pitch shot. After the golf ball
lands safely on the green 1/3 of the way to the cup, it rolls the rest of the way. I can't stress
enough that the game of golf is easier and safer on the ground versus in the air. The distance to
the cup does not play any role when deciding to chip or pitch.
You can control the direction of the chip shot similarly to that of a putt - it's fairly easy. Then
you will begin to notice how you have a great chance of making the chip since it's going to roll
towards the hole.
It is much more difficult to make a pitch or flop shot since you have to fly the ball further in
the air. It is more difficult to judge the distance and the amount the ball rolls after landing on
the green.
Chipping - Common Mistakes
The most common mistake in chipping is not hitting the bottom of the golf ball. You might top
the ball, hit it fat, hit behind the ball, or hit it too thin. If you do not hit solid chip shots
you will not have any consistency with your distance control. Distance control in chipping is
difficult enough when you are hitting solid chip shots.
Now that you know the definition of a chip shot, we can start talking about how to chip. We are
going to break it down into eleven chapters that you have to learn to improve your chipping. There
may be other moving parts in the swing, but if you are able to understand the eleven chapters, you
will find immediate improvements.
The purpose of the eleven chapters is to teach you a method that you can easily apply and most
importantly, learn how to become your own best instructor.
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