Lacking confidence when chipping can be particularly demoralising, not to mention damaging to the scorecard. The knock-on effect places extra pressure on the long game and putting, which then leads to an even more anxious state that is by no means conducive to hitting good golf shots. But while there can be some mental demons at the play, for the majority of golfers bad chipping stems from poor technique and by making some subtle changes, you should start to see your results improve pretty quickly.
WATCH: Ged Walters runs through the six most common chipping mistakes
Here, Top 50 coach Ged Walters runs through the six most common chipping mistakes he sees when coaching golfers of every ability, and suggests some easy ways to rectify them. They’re not all technical either – much of it comes down to strategic and pre-shot factors, like reading the lie and choosing the right club for the job at hand. By following his advice, you should be able to transform yourself from a nervy chipper into an accomplished short game wizard.
1. Poor set up
Many of the problems golfers experience when chipping stems from a poor address position. The most common fault I see is people setting up to the ball like they’re about to hit their 7-iron 150 yards when in reality they’re only trying to advance the ball 25 feet. This set-up position leads to a lot of deceleration and generally poor strike and distance control. To play a standard chip shot, stand much closer to the ball with the handle high and your feet only slightly wider than the width of your clubhead. Position the ball in the middle of the stance and place slightly more pressure on the lead foot, to encourage a slight descending blow.
2. Loss of arm structure
When it comes to the chipping action, one of the main faults is a loss of arm structure through impact. Golfers often feel like they need to help the ball in the air, which leads to the elbows breaking down. The knock-on effect is the club typically rises up and the only way to make contact with the ball is to compensate, either by leaning back or bending the knees. The less moving parts the better, so if this is something you struggle with, practice with a small ball wedged in between your forearms. This will encourage a movement where the arms extend more through impact and the body controls the motion better, helping to achieve better strikes.
3. Limited use of the body
Many poor chippers over-rely on their arms when attempting to hit the ball. Look at the…
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