How to Hit a Chip Shot That Spins

Reap the rewards of adding backspin to your chip shot.

Like any good love affair, golf is filled with pleasure and frustration. One golf shot that encompasses both of these feelings is a chip shot that requires backspin. Generally speaking, you will need to perform this shot when you are chipping up onto a green. Adding backspin to your chip shot is particularly helpful when there is a bunker past the flag off the opposite side of the green. You also could deploy this technique if you are consistently long with your chip shots.

Things You'll Need

• Golf balls
• 9-iron
• Pitching wedge

Instructions

1. Use a pitching wedge or 9-iron.

2. Use a narrow stance, with your feet 6 to 8 inches apart. Keep the ball toward your back foot.

3. Aim to make contact with the lower half of the ball. Your intention should be to leave a shallow divot. Take a short backswing. Strike the ball with a swift, downward swing with a full follow-through. The correct finishing position should be with your belt buckle pointing toward the intended target. You'll want to get a fair amount of loft under the ball. The swing should be forceful.

4. Set your target five to 10 yards past the point where you want the ball to stop. Backspin should cause the ball to roll back approximately that distance.

References

• "Golf Short Game Basics"; Oliver Heuler; 1996
• Shark.com: Tip #38: The Chip Shot