14 Around the green
The chip
A chip is a short putting stroke with a different club. The wrists do not rescue it.
Home / The chip
The situation
From just off the green you either blade the ball across, or you stick the club in the grass and the ball moves a yard. Both usually mean the bottom of the swing is in the wrong place, or the hands got busy. If the ball is shooting off the neck even from here, read the shank as well.
A check you can do
Take a narrow stance, ball in the center, hands a little ahead of the clubhead, weight on the lead foot. Without a ball, brush the grass. The sole should kiss the ground under the middle of your chest, not behind the ball and not at your lead toe. If you can hear that brush three times, you are ready for a ball.
The fix
- 01Choose a club that can roll A mid-iron or a wedge you will not try to flip. Use more loft only when you must carry a rise in the ground. Otherwise let the ball land and roll. If even that feels wild, putt it, as on the first-round page.
- 02Feet close, weight on the lead side Lead foot turned out a little. The weight stays on the lead side from start to finish. You do not sway back to help the ball up.
- 03Ball center, or a touch back Hands ahead so the shaft leans toward the target a small amount. That is the chip version of ball position. Too far forward and the brush happens late.
- 04Rock the chest The stroke is the length of a putt. The wrists stay quiet. Hold the club at the quieter pressure from grip pressure, closer to a 3 than a 7.
- 05Pick a landing spot, not the hole Land the ball on the green and let it roll. The spot is closer to you when there is more green to work with. Speed after it lands is the same idea as putt speed.