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Unlike driving, where the only goal is distance, you need to be able to predict exactly where the ball will drop and at what speed when attempting to chip.
The farther you have to hit a ball, the flatter its trajectory will be, and the farther the ball's momentum will carry it once it lands. If you are 60 to 70 yards or more away from the green, it's usually a good idea to lay up or aim for a spot on the fairway in front of the green and either chip onto the green in the next shot or let the ball's momentum roll the ball onto the green. If you are within 50 yards, it's usually a good idea to hit for the green.
Be sure to choose a club that will allow you sufficient loft to carry to your target. There is no magic formula for this; it is entirely dependent on your physical strength as to which club is best in which situation. Bear in mind that the higher you can loft a ball and still hit your target, the better the chance that the ball will stay where you put it. -
As with any shot in golf, grip and stance play an integral role in the accuracy of the shot.
Hold the club firmly, but not in a death grip or you will likely hook the shot. On the other hand, hold the club too loosely and you will likely slice the shot.
Bend your knees. This will help with balance and will make sure you stay down on the ball when you swing.
Stand close to the ball, as chipping clubs are usually a good deal shorter than drivers. If the shot is shorter, stand with the ball nearer your front leg for extra loft. If the shot is farther, stand with the ball near your back leg for extra power. -
A chip swing is unlike any other shot in golf, because the length of your backswing will vary depending on how hard you need to hit the ball. The farther the ball needs to go, the longer your backswing should be.
It is a good idea to always swing the club at the same speed regardless of distance on a chip shot. Rather, vary your club selection and the distance of your backswing if you need a soft touch or extra power. The fewer variables you need to play with in each situation, the less difficult each shot will be, and swing speed is the by far the most difficult to adjust on the fly.
Keep a relatively closed head when chipping, but not so much that you hook the shot.
Comments
golfer121 said
on 7/28/2009 You don't know how to play golf at all. You would never want to lay up from over 70 yards. Anyone who is starting golf needs to learn a better strategy than this. You must not play golf so you shouldn't try and teach it.