Mastering the Chip Shot Around the Green

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• Keep your swing smooth and controlled, like a pendulum.
• Pick a club that lets the ball roll out – a 7- or 8-iron is usually money.
• Weight forward, ball back – that’s the sweet spot for setup.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who are tired of leaving chips short or chunking them.
• Beginners looking to nail down the fundamentals of chipping.
• Any player wanting to shave strokes off their score by improving their short game.

What to Check First for Chip Shot Success

• Club Selection: This is crucial. For most chips, you want a club that gets the ball on the green and rolling toward the pin. Think 7-iron, 8-iron, or pitching wedge. Lower loft means more roll. Higher loft means it gets up and stops faster. I usually grab my trusty 8-iron.
• Ball Position: Where the ball sits in your stance is key. For a standard chip, you want it a little back of center, usually aligned with the heel of your back foot. This encourages you to hit down on the ball.
• Stance: Get athletic. A narrow stance, about shoulder-width or a bit less, is good. Your weight should be favoring your lead foot – lean into it, maybe 60/40. This keeps you from shifting back and scooping.
• Grip: Don’t grip it like you’re trying to strangle a bear. Choke down on the club a bit. This gives you more control and a shorter swing arc, which is exactly what you want around the green.

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Chip Around the Green

1. Select Your Club: Figure out how much loft you need. You’re not trying to hit a monster drive here. For a standard chip that needs to land on the green and roll, a 7- or 8-iron is your best bet. If the pin is tucked and you need it to stop quickly, a pitching wedge or even a sand wedge might be the play. Mistake: Grabbing a club that’s too long for the distance or has too much loft and will fly way over the green. If you’re unsure about your club’s loft, check the manual or verify with the manufacturer.

2. Address the Ball: Get into your setup. You want a narrow, athletic stance, with your weight firmly on your lead foot. This is your foundation. Look for: A stable, balanced feeling. You shouldn’t feel like you’re going to tip over. Mistake: Setting up with a wide, flat-footed stance. This often leads to standing up through the swing and trying to scoop the ball.

3. Position the Ball: Place the ball slightly back in your stance. Think about lining it up with the heel of your back foot. This helps ensure you hit down on the ball. Verify ball position: It should feel natural and allow your hands to be slightly ahead of the ball at address. Mistake: Setting the ball too far forward in your stance. This can cause you to hit the ball thin (skull it) or top it.

4. Take a Smooth Backswing: This is where the pendulum idea comes in. Your wrists should stay relatively firm, and the swing should be controlled and compact. Think of it as a mini-stroke. Look for: A smooth, unhurried motion. The clubhead should stay low to the ground. Mistake: Taking a big, wild backswing. This often leads to timing issues and inconsistency. You’re not trying to hit it 100 yards.

5. Hit Down and Through: The goal is to strike the ball first, then brush the turf just beyond it. Imagine you’re trying to hit a small divot after the ball. Look for: A crisp sound of contact. You should feel the clubhead hitting the ball solidly. Mistake: Trying to “help” the ball up into the air or scooping at it. This is probably the most common error and leads to chunky or thin shots.

6. Follow Through: Let the club swing through to a natural, balanced finish. Don’t stop the club at impact. Look for: A balanced finish where you’re not falling over. Your weight should have shifted slightly forward. Mistake: Decelerating through the shot. This kills your speed and control, making it hard to get the ball to the hole.

How to Chip Around the Green: Common Mistakes

• Scooping the Ball — This is the cardinal sin of chipping. You’re trying to lift the ball with your wrists and hands, which leads to either hitting the ball way too thin (a “skull shot”) or hitting way behind the ball (a “duff”). — The fix is simple: focus on hitting down on the ball and through the grass. Think of it as a downward strike, not an upward one.
• Over-swinging — You’re not trying to hit a drive here, so why are you taking a huge backswing? Over-swinging leads to a loss of control and inconsistent contact. It’s easy to get off plane and mis-hit. — Keep your backswing shorter and more controlled. A backswing that goes to about waist-high is usually plenty. Think pendulum.
• Poor Ball Position — We touched on this, but it’s worth repeating. If the ball is too far forward, you’ll struggle to hit down on it. If it’s too far back, you might hit it too low or thin. — Ensure the ball is consistently positioned slightly back of center in your stance. This is the foundation for a solid strike.
• Shifting Weight Backward — Many golfers unconsciously shift their weight back as they swing. This encourages the scooping motion we talked about. It takes power away from your body and puts it into your hands. — Consciously keep your weight forward on your lead side throughout the entire swing. Feel like you’re anchored to the ground on that side.
• Looking Up Too Early — You’re eager to see where the ball is going, right? But if you lift your head before you’ve even made contact, you’re almost guaranteed to miss the sweet spot. — Keep your head down and eyes focused on the ball until after you’ve made contact with the turf. Trust your swing.
• Trying to “Carry” the Ball Too Far — Many players try to fly the ball all the way to the hole from just off the green. This requires a much bigger swing and more precision. — Remember the goal of chipping is often to get the ball on the green and let it roll. Use a club that allows for a good amount of roll, and take a smaller swing. It’s a much more reliable shot.

FAQ

• What is the most important part of a chip shot?

The most important part is a consistent setup and a smooth, controlled swing. If you can get your stance and ball position right, and make a repeatable swing, you’ll see improvement fast.

• How do I know which club to use for a chip shot?

It depends on the distance to the pin and how much roll you want. For most chips, you want the ball to land on the green and roll out like a putt. A 7-iron or 8-iron is usually perfect for this. If you’re very close to the green and need the ball to stop quickly, a pitching wedge or sand wedge will get it up in the air faster, but it requires a slightly different technique.

• What is the ideal ball position for chipping?

For a standard chip, the ball should be positioned slightly back of center in your stance. A good reference point is to have it in line with the heel of your back foot. This helps you make contact with the ball first and then the turf, promoting a descending blow.

• Should I use my wrists a lot when chipping?

Absolutely not. Resist the urge to flick your wrists. You want to keep your wrists firm and allow your arms and shoulders to create a smooth, pendulum-like motion. This keeps the clubface stable and makes for a more consistent strike.

• What if the ball is in the rough just off the green?

If the ball is sitting down in thick rough, you’ll likely need a club with more loft, like a pitching wedge or a sand wedge. The thicker grass can grab the clubface, so you need that extra loft to get the ball up and out quickly. You might also need to take a slightly bigger swing than you would from the fairway.

• How far should I be swinging back on a chip shot?

For most chip shots, a backswing that goes to about waist-high is sufficient. The follow-through should be about the same length or slightly longer. It’s about control and making solid contact, not about power. Think of it as a miniature golf swing.

Sources:

• How to Chip Around the Green in Golf