Golf Lessons

THE CHIP SHOT

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The chip shot, like the pitch shot, can save you many strokes a round if properly executed. The major differences between the chip shot and the pitch shot are in the club selection and the manner in which the stroke is played.

THE CLUBS TO USE.

Normally, the best clubs for pitch shots the ball are the five-, six-, seven-, and eight-irons; the rule of thumb being that, if you are close to the edge of the green and the pin is close, use a more lofted club; if the pin is farther away, use a less lofted club and run the ball.

You will be far more accurate if you will keep the ball on the putting surface as much as possible. Most golfers tend to play a pitch shot when the best shot, percentagewise, is a chip shot. Practice chipping as much as possible so that you will have confidence in hitting these shots under actual play¬ing conditions.

THE STROKE.
In the chip stroke, the feet are very close together and the hands are in close to the body and ahead of the ball. The weight is on the left side, and the stance is slightly open toward the hole. For the Chip shot the wrists are not cocked upright as much as for the pitch shot. Instead, the stroke is more of a sweeping motion with the hands and arms acting as a unit. There is very little body movement in the stroke. The knees flex slightly and the hips turn very little so that no muscle tension will creep into the stroke.

On the backswing the wrists are broken slightly, then the follow-through is initiated by a pulling action of the left shoulder, arm, and hand toward the target. As the hands pass over the ball, a sharp, crisp hit is supplied by the right hand, which is aimed toward the hole. After impact, the left arm and the clubshaft form a straight line from the shoulder to the clubhead. Don't ever make the mistake of allowing the clubhead to pass the hands on the follow-through.

ADJUSTMENTS.
I make two slight adjustments in my chipping which I feel give me a more reliable stroke under pressure. First, I weaken my left hand, or turn it toward the left about an inch, so that the V formed by the inside of the left thumb and the outside of the left hand above the top knuckle points toward my left shoulder rather than toward my right shoul¬der. Second, I toe the blade of the clubhead in slightly.

If the hands and clubface are positioned in the manner recommended above, you will not have to worry about the face opening and closing. With a little practice, you will be amazed how consistently you can lay the ball up close to the hole from any given distance. It will become an automatic procedure for you to step up to the ball and address it in the manner pre¬scribed above, and then all you will have to concentrate upon is the distance you want to hit the ball.
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Golf Lesson - Intro
Golf Fundamentals
Golf grip
Golf stance
Golf Lesson Short Irons
Golf Lesson Med Irons
Golf Lesson Long Irons
Pitching #1
Pitching #2
Pitching #3
Chipping #1
Chipping #2
Golf Lesson Driver
Golf Lesson Driver #2
Golf Lesson Fairway wood
Golf Lesson Trouble #1
Golf Lesson Trouble #2
Golf Swing Review
Advanced Golf Lessons