Perfecting the Chip Shot

The chip shot is one of the easiest shots in golf...it's also one of the easiest to make a mess of. Poor club selection is the biggest error I see club golfers make:

The aim of the chip shot is to get the ball airborne and then getting it rolling like a putt as quickly as possible. For a chip shot the ball is typically in the air for 25% of the length of the shot and then the ball will then roll out like a putt for the remaining 75%.

A lot of club golfers select the wrong club for this shot, quite often using a club with too much loft. An easy tip to remember is if it's a 'Pitching Wedge' (as the name suggests) then it's designed for pitching. A pitch shot will typically be in the air for as much as 75% of the length of the shot.

If you have a pitching wedge or a more lofted club in your hands and you attempt to play a chip shot, you will not get the results you hope for. By switching to a club with less loft you will increase your chances of success and make the shot easier to play.

"The right tool for the job"

If you start off by practicing with a 9-iron just by hitting some shots you will soon work out how far you hit the ball and by varying the length of swing you will be able to control the distance.

Once you get a 'feel' for the 9-iron, then progress on to the 8,7,6,5 etc. by learning 'feel' with each of these clubs you will certainly improve your chances of success and your short game will improve.

Golf is a great game but you will only get out of it what you are prepared to put into it, so practice, practice, practice and you will soon start to see your scores lower - especially if you practice the right things.

Happy golfing