Chipping is a skill that separates a good golfer from a great one. It’s not just about getting the ball closer to the hole; it’s about giving yourself the best chance for a lower score every time. When your chipping is solid, you can save strokes by turning near-misses on the green into one-putts. So, mastering the art of chipping will be time well spent while making your game more enjoyable and less frustrating.
Why Focus on Chipping?
Many golfers focus on drives or putting, often overlooking how critical a good chipping game can be. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, having a reliable short game can transform your golf experience. When you’re within 20 yards of the green, a controlled chip shot can make all the difference in your final score. Plus, practicing chipping regularly helps build confidence, improve focus, and keep your short game sharp, even when you’re away from the course.
Overcoming Common Chipping Challenges
For many golfers, the challenge lies in achieving consistent contact and direction. It’s easy to either “chunk” the ball (hitting the ground before the ball) or “thin” it (striking too high on the ball, sending it across the green). Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The good news is, with a few techniques and regular practice, you can chip with the confidence and precision that make a big impact on your game.
What This Post Covers
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of mastering the art of chipping for beginners as well as some advanced techniques for experienced golfers looking to refine their skills. You’ll find practical drills, tips for mastering control and trajectory, and ways to practice—even if you have limited space. We’ll also share insights from professional golfers to help you understand and develop the mindset needed for a consistent short game.
Practical Takeaways to Keep Improving
No matter where you are on your golfing journey, we’re here to help you overcome frustrations and see real improvements. Practice and consistency are key, and with the right approach, you’ll see the ball land softly and roll exactly where you want it. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in to elevate your chipping skills and lower your scores!
Understanding the Basics of Chipping
Chipping is one of the most effective tools for lowering your golf score and making the most of your short game. Simply put, a chip is a short, controlled shot played close to the green, with a low trajectory designed to get the ball onto the green and rolling smoothly toward the hole.
This differs from a pitch shot, which has a higher arc and is used to fly the ball over obstacles or cover a longer distance. Unlike a full shot, a chip is shorter, gentler, and all about finesse and control.
The Goal of a Good Chip
The goal of any good chip shot is to get the ball on the green as quickly as possible, allowing it to roll the remaining distance to the hole. Think of it like putting with a bit of air time—your focus is on a smooth roll after a soft, precise landing. With the right technique, chipping can consistently leave you in a great position to sink a putt or save a stroke.
Key Components of a Chip
Mastering the basics of chipping starts with understanding three key elements: club selection, stance, and swing technique. Let’s break down each part to give you a strong foundation.
- Club Selection
Choosing the right club for a chip is essential. Many golfers prefer a pitching wedge or sand wedge, as these clubs offer enough loft to lift the ball slightly while keeping it controlled and predictable. However, you could also use a lower-lofted club like a 9-iron if you’re closer to the green and want the ball to stay low with more roll.
Tip from the Pros: Experiment with different clubs during practice. A higher-lofted club will give more lift, while a lower-lofted club offers a longer roll. Finding what feels natural for different distances and green speeds will give you a more adaptable short game.
- Stance
Your stance is key to a consistent, controlled chip. Stand with a narrow stance, feet about hip-width apart, and keep a bit more weight on your front foot (around 60%). This weight distribution encourages a downward strike, ensuring clean contact with the ball.
Keep your body relaxed, with your knees slightly flexed, and lean just slightly forward. This setup creates the ideal position for controlled, crisp contact and helps prevent the dreaded “chunk” (hitting too much ground) or “thin” (hitting too high on the ball) shots.
- Swing Technique
When it comes to the chipping swing, less is more. Think of your swing as a gentle rock back and forth, using mostly your shoulders and arms while keeping your wrists stable. This simple, compact motion minimizes the chance of error, helping you control both the distance and direction of the ball.
Focus on a smooth, controlled tempo. Your backswing should be short and gentle, just enough to lift the ball onto the green. Follow through lightly to guide the ball forward with a steady roll.
Pro Tip: Avoid trying to “scoop” the ball into the air—let the club loft do the work. Your aim should be to brush the grass lightly, keeping the clubface square to your target.
Understand the Knack of Chipping
When mastering the art of chipping, you need to understand and focus on solid fundamentals. Such as choosing the right club, setting up with a balanced stance, and using a smooth, simple swing. These steps will see you achieve more consistency and control with your chipping. Practice these basics until they feel natural, and watch your short game transform.
Mastering Essential Chipping Techniques for Beginners
Starting out in chipping can feel challenging, but with the right setup and swing technique, you’ll see improvement quickly. Here, we’ll break down the core techniques that make a big difference for beginners. These fundamentals will help you set up correctly, control your swing, and improve your accuracy on the green.
Set-Up Tips for Consistent Chips
A solid setup is crucial for reliable chipping. By focusing on your body position, ball placement, and grip, you set yourself up for a smooth and controlled shot every time.
- Body Position: Slightly Open Stance
Position your body so your feet are slightly open (angled a bit to the left of your target for right-handed golfers). This open stance helps you see your target line clearly and promotes better control over your swing path. Keeping your feet about hip-width apart also gives you balance, while shifting about 60% of your weight to your front foot encourages a clean, downward strike. - Ball Position: Center or Back
Where you place the ball relative to your feet affects the height and distance of your chip. If you want a higher, softer landing, position the ball in the center of your stance. For a lower chip with more roll, place it toward the back of your stance. Experiment with both positions to understand how each affects your shot, giving you options based on your distance from the green and the terrain. - Light Grip and Relaxed Arms
Chipping is all about finesse, so a light grip is key. Hold the club just firmly enough to control it but keep your hands relaxed. This allows for a smoother swing and prevents tension that can throw off your accuracy. Let your arms hang naturally, avoiding any stiffness that can interrupt your tempo.
Pro Tip: Imagine holding a tube of toothpaste with the cap off; too much pressure, and it spills everywhere. The same goes for your grip in chipping—firm, but relaxed.
Swing Technique for Better Accuracy and Control
Once your setup is solid, the next step is developing a consistent swing that gives you confidence with each chip. A simple, controlled motion makes all the difference for beginners when mastering the art of chipping.
- Pendulum Motion
Think of your chipping swing as a gentle pendulum motion, much like a putting stroke. Swing your arms and shoulders in sync, back and forth, without excess movement from your wrists or hands. This “pendulum” swing keeps your motion smooth and helps prevent mistakes that can lead to inconsistent shots. - Minimal Wrist Movement
Beginners often make the mistake of using too much wrist action, which can lead to unpredictable shots. Focus on keeping your wrists stable throughout the swing, allowing your shoulders and arms to do the work. This stability makes it easier to control both the distance and direction of your chip, leading to more consistent results. - Finish Low and Aligned with the Target
After striking the ball, finish with your clubface low and pointing toward your target. This low, controlled finish helps you maintain a straight path and directs the ball accurately. It’s a small detail that can have a big impact on your accuracy and prevents common errors like “scooping” or lifting the ball.
Bringing It All Together
Starting with a balanced setup and a controlled, consistent swing can make chipping feel more intuitive and manageable. Focus on these foundational techniques as you practice, and you’ll soon notice more confidence and accuracy in your short game.
Advanced Chipping Techniques for More Skilled Golfers
If you’re already comfortable with basic chipping, these advanced techniques will help you refine control over spin, trajectory, and shot adaptability. Mastering these skills is all about fine-tuning your feel for the club, the green, and the shot’s setup. With some practice, you can add versatility to your chipping game and adjust your approach based on conditions.
Controlling Spin and Trajectory
For skilled golfers, being able to control spin and trajectory gives you a major advantage on the course. The way you set up your clubface, combined with your choice of club, can create different spins and shot heights to suit each situation.
- Open-Faced Chips vs. Closed-Face Chips
The angle of your clubface has a huge impact on your chip’s spin and trajectory. An open-faced chip shot—where the face of your club is angled slightly up—adds loft and creates a softer landing with more backspin. This is useful when you need to clear an obstacle or stop the ball quickly once it lands. In contrast, a closed-face chip (slightly turning the clubface inward) reduces loft, creating a lower, faster shot with more roll. Use this when you have more green to work with and want the ball to roll out toward the hole.
Tip: Practice both open- and closed-face shots on the practice green, noting how each affects the ball’s behavior on different lies and green speeds.
- Choosing the Right Club for Spin and Trajectory
Beyond just wedges, many skilled golfers find value in using a range of clubs for chipping. For instance, using a higher-lofted wedge like a sand or lob wedge can give you the necessary loft for short chips that require a high spin rate. For longer, bump-and-run style chips, experiment with lower-lofted clubs like an 8- or 7-iron to get a controlled, rolling chip that doesn’t bite too hard upon landing.
Pro Insight: Having multiple clubs in your chipping arsenal helps you adapt to different lies, turf conditions, and green speeds.
Using the Bounce of the Club to Improve Your Chipping
The club’s bounce is the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole. This helps prevent digging into the turf, allowing for smoother, more consistent contact. Learning to use the club’s bounce effectively is key to maintaining consistency in your chipping game.
- Using the Bounce to Prevent Digging
To get the most out of your club’s bounce, make sure your setup and swing allow the club’s sole to slide along the ground instead of digging in. Position the ball slightly back, and lean into your front foot to keep the club descending toward the ball. This “brushing” effect creates clean, controlled contact and prevents you from hitting fat shots. - Practice Drills to Feel the Bounce
One of the best ways to get comfortable with the bounce is to practice on a variety of turf conditions, from fairway-like lies to fluffy rough. Try hitting chips where you focus on “feeling” the bounce of the club gliding along the turf rather than digging. As you practice, take note of how adjusting your clubface or swing path affects your contact and control.
Pro Tip: When practicing on tight lies, focus on maintaining a shallow angle and light contact, relying on the bounce to carry the club through the grass.
Reading Greens and Adjusting Shots
As you move up in skill, green reading becomes essential for accurate chipping. Understanding the slope, speed, and break of the green helps you adjust your chipping technique to best match the conditions.
- Reading the Green for Break, Slope, and Speed
Before each chip, take a moment to analyze the green in front of you. Look for any slopes or breaks that will impact your ball’s roll once it lands. A slight uphill slope will slow your chip and reduce the roll, while a downhill slope will speed it up. Observing any breaks or contours can help you pick an ideal landing spot that allows the ball to roll naturally toward the hole. - Adjusting Chips Based on Green Conditions
Once you have a read on the green, adjust your chip shot accordingly. For instance, if you’re chipping to an uphill target, consider using a bit more power to account for the extra resistance, or even a lower-lofted club to keep the shot low and rolling. If you’re facing a quick downhill slope, open the clubface slightly to add loft and reduce roll.
Tip: Practicing on a variety of greens and conditions will help you gain confidence in adjusting your chips in real-time, making you a more adaptable, resourceful golfer.
Final Thoughts
Mastering advanced chipping techniques opens up endless possibilities to enhance your short game. From adjusting spin and trajectory to reading greens with precision, these skills will bring a new level of control and creativity to your approach. Put these techniques to the test, and don’t be afraid to try different setups to find what feels right.
Common Chipping Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Chipping may seem straightforward, but even seasoned golfers fall into common habits that lead to inconsistent results. Let’s look at a few of the biggest mistakes in chipping—like flipping the wrists, poor tempo, and club choice—and explore easy ways to fix them.
Flipping Wrists: Why It’s a Problem and How to Fix It
One of the most common chipping mistakes is “flipping” the wrists, which means breaking or cupping them as the club moves through impact. This habit often causes thin or fat shots, making it hard to control the ball’s distance and spin. By keeping your wrists stable, you ensure a cleaner, more reliable strike.
Fix: Keep Wrists Stable for Consistent Contact
To avoid flipping, focus on using your shoulders and arms as a unit to make a pendulum-like motion. Imagine you’re rocking your shoulders back and through the shot while keeping your wrists in a fixed position. Practicing with short, controlled swings can help reinforce this motion and make it feel natural over time.
Tip: Try holding a towel or glove under your lead arm (left arm for right-handed players) while chipping. If you start to flip your wrists, the towel will fall, giving you immediate feedback to correct it.
Hitting the Ball Too Hard or Too Soft: Finding the Right Tempo
In chipping, speed control is crucial. It’s easy to hit the ball too hard and overshoot or to hesitate and end up short. Finding the right tempo comes down to focusing on your swing’s rhythm and ensuring a smooth follow-through.
Fix: Focus on Tempo and Smooth Follow-Through
A common tip for improving tempo is to visualize a “1-2” count in your head. Count “1” on the backswing and “2” as you follow through. This simple rhythm helps you stay calm, keeping your power in check while still delivering enough energy to get the ball to the target.
Follow-through is also essential for distance control. Practice making a low, even follow-through that mirrors your backswing length. The goal is a balanced, smooth motion that guides the ball toward your target without rushing or slowing down at impact.
Pro Tip: When practicing, set up two targets a few feet apart on the green, and try chipping to each target. This drill encourages you to dial in different distances with the same smooth, consistent swing.
Poor Club Selection: Choosing the Right Club for the Lie and Distance
Choosing the wrong club can lead to awkward or misjudged chips, especially when the lie or distance doesn’t match your club’s capabilities. Skilled chipping often comes down to picking the right club for the situation, whether it’s a high-lofted wedge for a soft landing or a lower-lofted iron for more roll.
Fix: Match the Club to Your Lie and Distance
For shorter chips where you need the ball to stop quickly, a higher-lofted club like a sand or lob wedge can add the necessary height and spin. When you have more green to work with, consider using a pitching wedge or even an 8- or 9-iron for a lower shot that rolls out.
Before each chip, take a moment to assess the lie, slope, and distance. Is the ball in thick grass, or is it on a firm, tight lie? Adjusting your club based on these factors helps you control your trajectory and spin, improving your chances of landing the ball where you want it.
Pro Insight: Practice with different clubs on the chipping green to get comfortable switching clubs based on distance and lie. Over time, you’ll instinctively know which club will give you the best result.
Conclusion: Get the Basics Right for Better Chips
Eliminating these common chipping mistakes can make a huge difference in your short game. By stabilizing your wrists, controlling your tempo, and choosing the right club for each shot, you’ll gain more confidence and consistency. Chipping might seem tricky at first, but once you’ve got these fixes down, you’ll be landing more shots right next to the pin.
Practicing Chipping in Minimal Space
Improving your chipping game doesn’t require a sprawling course or endless space—just a few simple setups and drills you can do at home. Whether you’re inside, in the backyard, or working on your mental game, practicing chipping in minimal space can be incredibly effective. Let’s look at some practical ways to refine your technique without leaving home.
Indoor Drills for Chipping Practice
If you’re stuck indoors, you can still work on your chipping basics using some creative alternatives to a full green. A small putting mat, a carpeted area, or even a hallway can become your mini-practice range. Soft practice balls or foam balls work best for these indoor drills, ensuring you can chip safely without risking damage to walls or furniture.
- Use a Coin or Small Target to Improve Accuracy
One excellent indoor drill is to chip at a small target, like a coin, marker, or even a towel placed a few feet away. By aiming for a small target, you naturally focus on accuracy and precision, helping to develop better control over distance and direction. Try hitting the target five times in a row before moving to different spots around the room, gradually working on improving your touch and consistency.
Tip: Aiming for small targets makes it easier to transition to larger targets on the course, as you’ll have built up a precise, controlled motion indoors.
Backyard Practice Tips
With a bit more space, your backyard becomes a perfect spot to practice chipping at different distances. By setting up small targets at varied ranges, you can practice adjusting your swing and follow-through to match the shot’s needs, all while working in a limited area.
- Set Up Small Targets at Varying Distances
Arrange a few items like hula hoops, buckets, or even paper plates at different distances across your yard. Aim for each target one at a time, and as you get comfortable, move them further apart to simulate a range of chip shots. This exercise builds flexibility in your swing and teaches you to modify your shot for different distances. - Focus on Low Backswings and Controlled Follow-Throughs
In confined spaces, it’s key to develop control and avoid overly large swings. Practice with a low, short backswing and a smooth, controlled follow-through. This type of motion is ideal for chipping and encourages muscle memory, so when you’re on the course, your body naturally knows the feel of a well-controlled chip shot.
Pro Insight: Take advantage of any sloped or uneven surfaces to simulate a variety of lies. Practicing with different angles and slopes will help you get comfortable with tough lies you might face on the course.
Visualization Techniques for Chipping Precision
One often-overlooked area of practice is mental training. Visualization can help you get in the right mindset and improve your chipping game, even in confined spaces. By picturing the shot you want to hit, you can train your brain to “see” the trajectory, rollout, and final position of the ball—making it more likely you’ll execute a successful chip on the course.
- Visualize the Shot, Flight, and Rollout
Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and picture the exact shot you want to play. Imagine the ball flying toward the target, landing softly, and rolling out just right. This mental rehearsal not only builds confidence but also allows you to refine your technique without making a physical swing. Visualization is especially useful if you’re unable to practice physically and can keep your skills sharp between rounds. - Practice Focusing on the Target, Even in Small Spaces
When practicing in confined areas, train yourself to maintain focus on a small, specific target. Even indoors or in the backyard, zeroing in on a target can help you develop precision and consistency. When you’re on the course, this focus will naturally transfer to real shots, giving you more confidence and control.
Quick Tip: Start with a mental routine before each chip: visualize the shot, feel the motion, and then execute. This three-step process can help you stay calm and prepared, whether you’re practicing or playing. Visit this link for tips on chipping.
Wrapping Up: Effective Chipping Practice in Any Space
With these indoor, backyard, and visualization techniques, you can sharpen your chipping skills without needing a full practice green. Working on accuracy, control, and mental preparation will give you an edge on the course, making your short game more reliable and stress-free. Try incorporating these drills into your routine, and watch your chipping consistency improve over time.
Wrap-Up and Encouragement
Mastering chipping is a journey, and every small improvement brings you closer to a better short game. Practicing regularly—even if it’s just a few minutes a day—will build the consistency and confidence that can transform how you approach every shot around the green. Remember, it’s those little tweaks in your stance, swing, or focus that add up over time to make a big difference.
As you work on your chipping, stay patient and set realistic, achievable goals. Maybe it’s getting five balls to land within a few feet of a target, or simply keeping a steady tempo through each chip. Celebrate each win, no matter how small. Acknowledging progress is a huge motivator and will keep you coming back to practice.
With a bit of consistency and a focus on gradual improvement, you’ll soon see more of those chips landing exactly where you want them. Keep practicing, stay encouraged, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Golf is all about growth—step by step, shot by shot.