Trouble With Chip Shots? Finish Low... Ball Goes Up!

Proper Chip Shot Set Up

Proper Chip Shot Finish

To get students to consistently hit good chip shots, I have them focus on their finish position. Oftentimes, students try to “lift” the ball (known as “scooping”) into the air… when in fact, the opposite holds true. The job of the golfer should be to deliver the club down to the ball and let the loft of the club lift the ball up in the air.
Scooping leads to hitting the ground prior to the ball… causing the ball to travel a very short distance AND/OR hitting the top of the ball or on its equator… sending the ball screeching across the green, oftentimes off the green on the opposite side.

If this describes the shots you typically experience when chipping… then try the following:
1. Set up with feet about eight to 12 inches apart.
2. Set up closer to the ball than you normally would set up for a full shot.
3. Lean toward your forward foot (foot closest to the target) and keep the weight on that foot throughout the entire shot (should feel that about 60% of your weight is on your forward foot).
4. Bring the club back using your shoulders and very little wrist hinge.
5. Stroke through and past the ball and FINISH VERY LOW TO THE GROUND WITH THE CLUBHEAD (see illustration above).

The stroke itself is not that uncommon to the putting stroke. If you finish low… the ball should pop up into the air, land softly and roll. Never try to "lift" the ball into the air.

Good Golfing to YOU!