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The Chipper Golf Club: When And How To Use It

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Equipment | Golf Clubs


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Quick Answer

  • A chipper golf club is a specialized short-game tool that simplifies chipping around the green.
  • It combines the feel of a putter with the loft of a wedge, making it easier to get the ball airborne and rolling towards the hole.
  • It’s a fantastic option for golfers struggling with traditional chipping techniques or anyone seeking more consistency and forgiveness in their short game.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who find themselves consistently leaving chips short, thinning them over the green, or just generally struggling with the delicate art of chipping.
  • Players who want a more straightforward, repeatable method for getting the ball from just off the green to the pin.
  • Beginners looking to build confidence and improve their scoring without the steep learning curve of traditional wedge chipping.

What To Check First

  • Loft and Sole Design: Take a look at the clubface. A chipper typically has between 7 and 10 degrees of loft [1]. This is more than a putter but less than most wedges. Also, check the sole – it’s usually wider and flatter than a wedge, designed to glide through turf without digging.
  • Weight and Balance: Grip the club and take a few practice swings. Does it feel balanced? It should feel more like a putter, encouraging a pendulum-like stroke rather than a sweeping wedge motion. It shouldn’t feel overly heavy or light.
  • Grip Condition: Give the grip a squeeze. Is it worn out and slick, or does it have a good amount of tackiness? A good grip is essential for control, especially when you’re aiming for finesse shots.
  • Club Length: Ensure the length feels comfortable for your height and stance. Most chippers are similar in length to a putter, but it’s worth confirming it suits you.

How to Use a Chipper Golf Club

Understanding What is a Chipper Golf Club For

The beauty of a chipper lies in its simplicity. It’s designed to mimic your putting stroke, which is something most golfers have a decent feel for. The goal isn’t to make a huge swing; it’s to make a controlled, repeatable motion that gets the ball airborne just enough to clear fringe grass and then roll towards the hole. Think of it as a “long putt” that you happen to be using just off the green. This is where learning what is a chipper golf club really shines – it’s all about making your life easier.

  • Grip the club: Start by placing your hands on the grip just as you would for a putt. A standard putting grip works best. Keep your grip pressure light to moderate – firm enough for control, but relaxed enough to allow for a smooth stroke. Avoid a death grip; that’s a surefire way to get tense and inconsistent.
  • What to look for: A comfortable, neutral grip that feels secure but not strained. Your hands should feel like they’re working together smoothly.
  • Mistake to avoid: Gripping too tightly. This restricts wrist movement and leads to a jerky, inconsistent stroke, defeating the purpose of the chipper.
  • Stance: Set up with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Shift your weight slightly forward onto your lead foot (your left foot if you’re right-handed). Maintain an athletic posture, with a slight bend in your knees and your upper body leaning slightly forward from your hips.
  • What to look for: A stable, balanced base. You should feel grounded and ready to make a smooth stroke without feeling off-kilter.
  • Mistake to avoid: Leaning too far back or forward. This can cause you to hit the ground too far behind the ball or, worse, hit it thin. A balanced stance is crucial for consistent contact.
  • Ball Position: Place the ball slightly forward of the center of your stance. For most people, this means it will be roughly in line with the logo on your shirt or just a hair further forward. Experiment to find the spot that gives you the cleanest contact.
  • What to look for: A consistent ball position that allows the club to strike the ball cleanly at the bottom of its arc.
  • Mistake to avoid: Positioning the ball too far back in your stance. This often leads to hitting the ground behind the ball, resulting in a “fat” shot. It can also cause you to hit the hosel of the club.
  • The Swing: This is where the chipper truly shines. Use a putting stroke. Imagine your shoulders and arms are a pendulum swinging from a central point. Keep your wrists firm and avoid any flicking or scooping motion. The backswing should be shorter than the follow-through.
  • What to look for: A smooth, pendulum-like motion with minimal wrist action. The clubhead should stay low to the ground on the backswing and accelerate slightly through the ball.
  • Mistake to avoid: Trying to “lift” or “scoop” the ball like you might with a wedge. The chipper’s loft is designed to get the ball up and rolling; you don’t need to help it. This scooping motion often leads to topping the ball.
  • Clubface Control: Throughout your stroke, keep the clubface square to your intended target line. This means the face should be pointing directly at where you want the ball to start.
  • What to look for: The clubface remains stable and aimed at your target from address through impact and into the follow-through.
  • Mistake to avoid: Twisting the clubface open or closed during the swing. This is a common mistake when trying to impart loft or power, but with a chipper, it’s unnecessary and detrimental.

Common Mistakes When Using a Chipper

  • Mistake: Using a full wedge swing. — Why it matters: This is the most common error. A wedge swing involves wrist hinge and a more sweeping motion, which generates too much power and loft for a chipper. It will send the ball flying far past your target or lead to inconsistent results. — Fix: Commit to a putting-like stroke with minimal wrist action. Focus on a smooth pendulum motion driven by your shoulders.
  • Mistake: Overthinking the stroke. — Why it matters: The chipper is designed for simplicity. When you start trying to manipulate it, adding wrist action or trying to “help” the ball up, you introduce errors. Trust the club’s design. — Fix: Focus on a simple, repeatable pendulum motion. Trust that the loft and design of the chipper will do the work for you.
  • Mistake: Incorrect ball position. — Why it matters: Ball position is critical for consistent contact. If the ball is too far back, you’ll likely hit the ground behind it (fat shot). If it’s too far forward, you risk hitting the hosel or topping the ball. — Fix: Experiment on the practice green to find the sweet spot, typically slightly forward of center. Ensure it’s a consistent position for every shot.
  • Mistake: Trying to “scoop” or lift the ball. — Why it matters: This is a natural instinct for some golfers when they think about getting the ball airborne, but it’s the opposite of what a chipper needs. Scooping leads to topping the ball or thin shots that roll far past the green. — Fix: Use a smooth, pendulum stroke. Let the loft of the chipper do the work of getting the ball up and rolling.
  • Mistake: Not practicing with it. — Why it matters: Even though it’s designed to be easy, any club requires practice to get a feel for distances and trajectory. You need to learn how your chipper performs from different lies. — Fix: Spend dedicated time on the practice green. Hit chips from various spots around the fringe, focusing on distance control and a consistent stroke.
  • Mistake: Using it from too far off the green. — Why it matters: While a chipper is versatile, it’s not a miracle club. If you’re more than 20-30 yards off the green, you might need a more traditional wedge shot to get the ball to the correct distance and height. — Fix: Reserve the chipper for shots from the fringe or just off the green where a running shot is appropriate. Learn its limitations.
  • Mistake: Forgetting about the follow-through. — Why it matters: A good golf swing, even a putting-like one, requires a balanced follow-through. Stopping the swing abruptly can lead to inconsistent contact and distance control. — Fix: Ensure your stroke has a natural acceleration through the ball and a balanced finish. The club should continue its pendulum motion after impact.

FAQ

  • What is a chipper golf club?

A chipper golf club is a specialized golf club designed to simplify chipping shots around the green. It combines features of both a putter and a wedge. It typically has a loft similar to a short iron or wedge (around 7-10 degrees) but is swung more like a putter, with a pendulum-like motion and minimal wrist action. Its primary purpose is to make chipping easier and more consistent for golfers of all skill levels [2].

  • How is a chipper different from a putter?

The main difference lies in loft and intended use. A standard putter has very little loft (usually 2-4 degrees) designed to roll the ball smoothly along the green. A chipper has significantly more loft (7-10 degrees) to help the ball get up quickly over the fringe and onto the green, where it can then roll out towards the hole. While both are often swung with a putting stroke, the chipper is designed for shots just off the green, not for putting on the green itself [3].

  • How is a chipper different from a wedge?

Wedges (like pitching wedges, sand wedges, or lob wedges) are designed for a variety of shots, including high, soft chips, bunker shots, and approach shots. They typically have much more loft (ranging from 45 degrees for a pitching wedge to 60+ degrees for a lob wedge) and are meant to be swung with a more traditional golf swing, often involving wrist hinge and a descending blow. A chipper has less loft than most wedges and is designed for a simpler, putting-like stroke. The goal of a chipper is to get the ball rolling sooner, whereas a wedge is often used to fly the ball closer to the pin.

  • Can I use a chipper on the green?

While you can physically use a chipper on the green, it’s generally not recommended or intended for that purpose. The USGA rules of golf have specific guidelines about clubs and their use. While many chippers are legal to carry in your bag, using one on the putting surface might be considered against the spirit of the rules or could lead to issues if the club’s design is deemed unconventional. They are best used for shots from the fringe or just off the green [5].

  • Is a chipper considered cheating?

Absolutely not. A chipper is a legal golf club that manufacturers produce and sell. It’s designed to help golfers, particularly those who struggle with their short game, play more effectively and enjoy the game more. Many professionals and amateurs alike use chippers in practice or even in competition for specific shots where they feel it offers an advantage [5].

  • What kind of shots is a chipper best for?

A chipper excels at shots from just off the green, typically within 10-20 yards of the putting surface. It’s ideal when you want the ball to get up quickly to clear the fringe and then roll out like a putt. It’s particularly useful when the fringe grass is a bit longer or thicker, or when you have a clear path to the green and want to minimize the risk of a mishit chip.

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