Chipping Techniques that work
November 3rd 2006 04:28
Chipping with less intensity for better results
in your short game
By Mark Grove
One of the shots that I have not written about and is the toughest shot is the chip. Knowing how to control your chip shot is a continual learning experience. Once again I reiterate that when you are learning any shot it's not the mechanics so much you should worry about, learn how to hit the ball and support it with your body.Hitting a golf ball is like meeting a baseball all you want to do is hit it.
Learning to chip teaches you to either hit it higher or lower.I was reading an article in Golf Digest by professional advisor Stan Utley who is a golf teacher at Gray Hawk in Scottsdale Arizona.Stan has worked with the likes of Stadler,Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen.Stan's take on how to hit a chip naturally differs from mine and my mostly academic viewpoint.Stan says you should hit the ball higher so it flops and lands softer to control it without much spin.
I say you should hit the ball deeper and pull your shot like a pull hitter,and flop it to control where it lands.But one area I agree with Stan on is, you should read a green like you're putting.Pick a spot to hit your shot on the green and not just just say I'm going to hit the green, but actually say to yourself, "I want to hit it there on the green and do it.You will be more focused on your game and be more results oriented and driven.
Hitting less -- or pulling your chip:
Like anything worth learning in sports or golf,the chip shot is harder to master than tee off's and putts, believe it or not.One of the basics of golf like baseball is learning to hit the ball before mastering your swing.So watch the ball and just as you are about to hit it take your eyes away from it and just follow through like a baseball swing with an arm and back follow through from your legs and drive it up.
Learn to hit it deeper, but not so much that your divot brings up grass every time interfering with the continuity of the balls flight and direction.Learning how to actually flop your chip or flub it as I call it and pull it up enough to control where it goes on the green is dicey at times.This will be trial and error practice, and failing for success is important like I said in an earlier article.
Not many golfers practice their chip shots,just their tee shots and putts.So start practicing and you'll have some leverage when it comes to playing tournaments in that your chip practice will come in handy so you won't have to take such long putts which add to your round scores.So in ending,conrol of your chip shot is imperative and practicing from different angles,distances and course sand traps and bunkers will help elevate your playing.
Mark Grove
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