How To Chip A Golf Ball?
The chip shot that the golf players play depends on multiple factors. One of the most vital factors for this is the number of greens that you require working with while playing. The alignment of the ball, the obstacles lying between the pin and you, and the slopes on the greens are some other factors that determine chip shots.
The player needs first to decide that point at which he or she wants the golf ball to land after hitting it. Using the correct technique and by establishing proper contact with the ball, you can excel in chip shots. Distance control is another factor that helps in improving the accuracy of how to chip a golf ball.
Last update on 2024-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
High Chip Shots
For this shot, you require selecting the lofted club. Keep the stance of your body in a neutral position for high chip shots. The handle must hit the club sole and not behind or forward the ball. These types of shots are perfect when you require stopping the ball quickly.
Low Chip Shots
This kind of shot runs the ball a little longer after its landing as compared to the high chip shot. To play this kind of a shot, you require a club that it less lofted. The player simply requires using the opposite technique of the high chip shot to play the low chip one. Keep the handle towards the forward of the ball to ensure a good shot.
How to Chip In Golf?
Chip is quite a tactical shot in the game of golf. The players require lifting the ball in the air in this shot. When the ball touches the ground, it can get a good long roll if you make the proper chip. Chip shorts become more ideal when you try navigating the ball down a slope or when the ball gets buried inside the grass.
Both experienced and new golf players must work towards perfecting their chip shots. The guide here illustrates in detail how one can chip in golf perfectly.
• Swinging The Entire Upper Body: Using the whole upper body is essential to ensure a proper chip. Do not swing your wrists as this motion can limit your control and force. Swing in such a manner that you can feel your hips moving. While the upper body is moving, make sure you keep your legs and feet in a stable position.
• Swing Downward: Initially, create contact with your ball using the downward strike. Beginners often attempt to hit the ball in an upward direction. This is a wrong technique. For a successful chip, you must always aim down. After the club comes in contact with the ball, you can now aim for the upward swing.
• Raise Your Club After It Impacts The Golf Ball: Once you maximize the control and force using the downward swing, now you can scoop up. This offers the ball the required air that it needs to leave the grass. Both your upward scoop and downward swing must be in a fluid and single motion.
• Follow The Motion Throughout After Creating Contact With The Ball: Simply creating an impact with the ball does not offer end to your proper chipping. The player needs to follow the swing throughout and concentrate hard so that the force gets further maximized. Try completing the whole swing in a single motion that you started with.
• Check The End Of The Ball: After you chip correctly, the ball must fly for a short distance and then start rolling. The eyes of the player must be on the landing of the ball no matter what shot he or she is playing. This makes your practice even better. It also helps the player to understand the force with which he must be playing so that the ball can land at a given point.
How To Hit A Chip Shot?
Hitting a perfect chip shot can be quite technical. There are specific expert techniques that ensure accurate chipping, whether you are aiming for low chip shot or high chip shot. Golfers who are new in the game or have little experience with the sport might benefit from these techniques.
When you practice chip shots, always consider the area where you are playing the game. It is best if you can practice in a spacious golf course or in any local driving space. This helps the player in tracking his or her progress in the sport. Here are some steps on how to chip a golf ball.
• Positioning The Ball Near The Back Foot: When aiming for low chip shots, this positioning of the ball is an ideal one. Placing the ball in the correct line is extremely important for a perfect shot. By choosing this position for the ball, you are creating backspins so that your ball can roll further after touching the ground.
• Setting Up Your Feet: Keep the feet close and then open up the lead foot by certain degrees. Place your weight mostly on the foot that leads. If you want a vertical angle with your club, then stand a bit close to your ball. Stand in an erect and tall position by bending your knees a little bit. Place the back foot at an angle of 90 degrees with the direction that one aims to hit the ball at.
• Continuous And Smooth Partial Swings: Your swinging movement must be perfect for a good shot. The motion must be a smooth one throughout the chip so that the ball rolls for a longer distance. Remember that most of the swinging movement must be from the upper part of your body.
• Address Your Ball Differently For High Chip Shots: When the player aims for high chip shots, there are some special techniques to adhere to. Firstly, the ball must be at the center position close to the body of the player. You must place your feet further apart from each other and balance the weight accordingly. Bent the knees and aim for an athletic shot.
• Keep straight forearms: Although you require swinging your upper body for the chip shot, your forearms must be straight and tight. No hinging or breaking the arms while playing the shot. If the position of your forearms breaks, then the ball may not travel quite a long distance.
Improve Your Chip:
A chip shot in golf is quite a strategic move as compared to the regular shots in the game. It is also quite a tricky shot. So, you need first to understand whether the playing situation supports the chipping or not. If you find that a typical shot can also be fine in the game, then go for it. However, this rule does not apply if you are trying to improve your chip shot.
Selecting the right ratio of the club is essential for improving chipping. If you are aiming for a 1-to-1 ratio, then the sand wedge is perfect. While for a 1-to-2 ratio, choosing the pitching wedge is ideal. To improve chipping, one must always hold the club firmly. This gives you better control, and you can easily aim for a perfect chip.
Proper positioning and stance also determine good and improved chipping. The alignment of the ball with the sternum is immensely important for while you practice the shot. Your chest must be up, and arms pulled back to play the chip effectively.
Train Your Skills For Perfect Chip Shots
It is needless to say that if you want to enhance your chipping skills, you require accelerating the learning techniques. Get the help of professional golf instructors who can guide you with the correct techniques. It is also important that you practice chip shots in elongated clubs. This helps the players in improving their stance and footing.
To get your chipping shots more polished, ensure that you practice the shot every week. This ensures that your foundation for the shot becomes strong. Once you adopt the perfect techniques of the shot, it automatically becomes your skill.
It is true that there are certain formulated techniques that help players in giving perfect chip shots. However, when you are learning the shot, you can always experiment with other positions and chipping stances. This helps in figuring out your own style of playing. There is no harm in trying out different warm-ups, swings, and footings while practicing the chip shot. Keeping your foundation strong, you can always create your own style.
Many golf players often invest huge amounts of time in improving their full swing shots. They always aim for a straight and long drive in the sport. However, they forget that chip shorts can actually help them score better in the game.
By becoming a pro in chipping, you not just enhance your gaming skills but also lower the handicap. A perfect chipper always knows how hard the hit he must be given so that the ball reaches the pin. This perfection takes hours of dedication and practice on the part of the players. So, if you are aiming to sharpen your chip skills in golf, increase your practice time.
Credit @Julian Mellor Easiest Swing Golf Coach
Wrapping It Up
As with any sport or hobby, it will take time to master and the golf chip is no exception. Hopefully, our how to chip a golf ball guide has helped with the basics. Remember, practice makes perfect, the video above is a great drill you can perform over and over. Then when you’re ready you can show it off on the course!
Last update on 2024-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API