Contents
Golf Basics
Golf Scoring
The Rules of Golf
Golf Equipment
How to Swing a Golf Club
How to Putt a Golf Ball
How to Hit a Chip Shot
How to Use the Pitching Wedge
How to Hit a Flop Shot
How to Hit Sand Shots
Golf Etiquette
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How to Hit a Chip Shot
Golfers use chip shots when the ball is off the green but within about 100 feet of the cup. The chip shot lifts the ball into the air so it can fly over the collar around the green, land on the green, and roll toward the cup. When planning a chip shot, take into account how the ball will roll and break once it hits the green.
How to Choose a Club for a Chip Shot
Chip shots are typically made with the 6-, 7-, 8-, or 9-iron, or the pitching wedge. The higher the number of the club, the more lofted, or angled, the club is. A higher angle lofts the ball higher into the air. Consider the following when choosing a club for a chip shot:
- Distance: Clubs with lower numbers have less loft and will cause the ball to roll farther.
- Speed of the green: Putting greens have grass of different lengths and textures, so the ball rolls at varying speeds on different greens. For “fast” greens, use a more lofted club. For slow greens, use a lower-number club than you normally would.
The Chip Shot Motion
To execute a chip shot, follow these steps:
- Stand with your feet just a few inches apart. A line across your feet should point at your target. The ball should be just back of center, in line with the big toe of your back foot.
- Hold the club as you would during a normal swing, but choke down on it—hold the club closer to the shaft. Your hands should reach almost to the bottom of the grip. Also, your hands should be closer to the target than the ball is, so that the shaft of the club leans forward a bit.
- The chip shot is similar to a putting stroke. There is no wrist hinge or weight transfer—the weight should favor your front foot throughout the stroke. The size of the stroke is determined by the distance you want to hit the ball—a bigger stroke will hit the ball farther.
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