If you are a beginner golfer, one of the best ways to make small improvements on your score card is to learn how to hit a chip shot. This is a relatively easy shot to execute, and can help you save par or get closer to the hole on a difficult green. In this blog post, we will teach you how to hit a basic chip shot in golf like a pro!
What Exactly is a Chip Shot in Golf?
A chip shot in golf is a short, lofted shot that also runs that is used to get the ball close to the hole. This type of shot is typically used when you are near the green, but do not have enough room to hit a full swing. People sometimes confuse a chip shot and pitch shot, but they are different.
What’s the Difference Between Chips Shots, Flop Shots and Pitch Shots?
A chip shot is a short greenside shot that rolls more than it flies, the pitch shot is a mid to short greenside golf shot that flies more than it rolls, and a flop shot is a high lofted greenside golf shot with almost no roll. The type of game shot you will need to make will depend on your ball position in relation to the green.
What is the Best Golf Club for a Chip Shot
Club selection is important for making the best chip shot. The best golf club for a chip shot is an iron, not just lofted clubs like a lob wedge, gap wedge, pitching wedge or sand wedge, but also some of your other irons such as a 9 iron.
Additional Resource: The Best Golf Chipping Nets for the Backyard
How to Hit a Chip Shot in Golf: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know what a chip shot is and which club to use, let’s teach you how to hit one! Here are the step-by-step instructions to help with your chipping technique:
Assess and Selection
The choice of club depends on where your golf ball is in relation to the green and if there are any obstacles in your way. Club selection is important.
If you are still a long way from the green it is unlikely that you will need to do a chip shot, it will either be a normal shot or perhaps a pitch shot which requires a full swing. We have detailed the difference between a pitching shot and chip shot earlier in this post.
We know that if you have only a small amount of green to play with you are going to need to get more loft into your shot, therefore you will select a club that will assist with this and you will probably make more of a lob shot.
If you have more green a chip shot may be more appropriate because you can allow more ball roll, this is also where using 9 iron can assist – you can get some lift and more run without having to take a full swing.
Stance and Posture
Your chipping stance and chipping setup differs from normal golf shots. It takes practice and makes all the difference to your overall game.
You take a narrower set up with your foot position and the ball is closer to your body. Because you are not relying on the force generated from your body rotation like in a normal golf shot, your set up is to allow the club to do the work and also avoiding hinging of your wrists.
Your grip on the club should be more neutral or even a weak position grip, this allows for the pendulum action of the club and arms to do the work and not your wrists.
Ball Position and Foot Position
By placing the golf ball towards your front foot you will get a more lofted shot because the ball will make contact with more of the loft of the club face. If the ball is positioned more towards the back foot the club face makes contact with the golf ball on the down swing which results in less loft and more run. Practice making shots with a different ball position so you can build your repertoire of golf shots.
The Chipping Swing
A chipping swing has more finesse. To hit the chip shot, you will want to make a short backswing and then quickly forward swing making solid contact with the golf ball. You will feel and see the difference if you have clean contact as opposed to a shot where you can faltered prior to making contact with the golf ball.
A chip shot requires less exertion than a normal golf shot. You use a light grip and keep your arms relaxed – controlled, but relaxed throughout the swing. You are aiming for crisp contact allowing the club to do the work for you. Poor contact results in poor shots.
Finishing The Shot
To complete the shot follow through with your arms and club after hitting the ball.
How do I know if I am doing it right?
The best way to know if you are hitting your chip shot correctly is to watch the ball, is it travelling in a straight line, landing softly on the green and running towards the hole? If you answer “yes” to that, then congratulations you are doing it right!!
If you are not getting good results just make small adjustments to your stance or swing until you start seeing better results. Having some training equipment at home may help you practice the swing and become more comfortable with the body position and club swing.
Now that you know how to hit a chip shot in golf, go out and give it a try! Remember to stay relaxed and use a light grip pressure. You should start seeing better results in no time!
Do you have any other tips on how to hit a perfect chip shot in golf? Share them in the comments below!