Parks
Golf Tip - Chipping
“Keep it on the Down Low”
You can use any club to chip the ball. If you have a favorite club to chip with that is fine. I would suggest to any mid to high handicap golfer that somewhere between a 7-9 irons tends to be the easiest. Let’s start with the basic set up:
• Keep your stance narrow with your weight slightly forward
• Open your stance slightly (aimed a little left, for the right handed golfer)
• Keeping your hands off the instep of your front leg, have the ball placed off the instep of your back foot.
Now the tip:
• This is a small swing, especially the back swing. One of the biggest reasons people have trouble with short shots, is because they take big backswings and stop at the ball. So, keep your back swing around knee height (or less), and hold your follow through 20% longer than your backswing
• Keep your wrists firm; do not let the club head get ahead of your hands on the follow through. If you allow the wrists to break, the ball will go higher and roll less.
If you do this, your chip shots will be a lot like putting. As you know, if I were to say roll a putt 10-15 feet and get it within 3 feet of the hole, your chances are good. If I were to say the same thing only hitting the ball high in the air first, your chances are not so good. So, come on out to the Camden County Golf Academy’s new short game area with chipping fringe, and practice “Keeping it On the Down Low”.
Bob Cardea
Head Golf Coach Rutgers University at Camden
General Manager Camden County Golf Academy