What Are The Keys To Chipping Well Consistently??

To chip well consistently off any lie, the first step is understanding how to execute the basic chip. Once you understand the basic chip, you can then apply the same technique with some small additions (change of set-up, ball position or wrist angles) when confronted with different lies, The keys to be able to chip consistently can be broken into four key areas: set-up, swing path, arm and body connection and lastly tempo.

Now the first step to get right is the set-up. We want to firstly have the ball position in the middle of the stance with the feet quite narrow. You could have the face square to the target or slightly open. You then want to place around 60% of weight onto the front foot and have your shoulders quite level. The goal will be to keep the weight on the front foot throughout the chipping action.

The next step is swing path. This is vital for consistency of strike and your ability to chip off any lie. One the takeaway, you just want to make sure that the clubhead moves first followed by the body. You want to feel the clubhead stay in front of the hands during the early part of the takeaway so by the time the club reaches parallel to the ground, the hands and the clubhead form a straight line. You also ideally would have the toe of the club pointed toward the sky. Along with placing the club in the right position, just make sure the body is also rotating back and through.

The next step is arm and body connection. One of the best drills that Jason Day uses, is placing a towel underneath your upper arms. You want to feel the towel against your upper arms as your turn the body. This will work extremely well once the path is established. Lastly to chip well, you want to have good tempo. This is simply having a grip pressure around two or three out of ten and then finding out what speed is best for you. A slow tempo is always recommended. You also want to have the same length back and through for all chip shots. The length of swing will of course change depending on the distance you want to chip.

If you'd like help with you chipping, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.