Keys to Chipping and Pitching

[vjsinger]

Jim is probably right..it's the takeaway. Practice this by placing a 2x4, a golf ball, pillow..whatever about a foot behind the ball you are chipping/pitching. Practice taking the club "straight back" and more up in the takeaway and hit shots. Of course, the club won't go straight back, but it will help you with the path.

 

[softconsult]

I will simply say that more vertical back equals more vertical through equals less room for error versus a more shallow attack angle. Also bladed chips could be caused by too much weight shift to the rear. What's working for me is no weight shift off left foot during the very small pivot.

I like 3Jacks floating rough technique. May have used that at some point. The fact that I don't remember is a reminder that I need to spend some time on this shot. We have a chipping green surrounded by this sort of junky rough, but I have just been more focused on chipping lately. This week I'm focused on looking at the snow outside. Middle of next week back into the low 40's.

3Jacks comment on lob shots mirrors my own experience. This is a shot that I used to practice a lot. Actually I remember at age 13 or so hitting open face wedges over my buddies house (that would be 1958). When you learn this stuff early, it is easier later on. That said, I am trying to get away from the open stance, ball back stance on chips and pitches. The lob can be overused, and it is a low percentage shot.

 

[birdie_man]

Actually I remember at age 13 or so hitting open face wedges over my buddies house (that would be 1958). When you learn this stuff early, it is easier later on. That said, I am trying to get away from the open stance, ball back stance on chips and pitches. The lob can be overused, and it is a low percentage shot.

You're crazy!

How many windows do you have under your belt?

(2 here)

(one of em is about 5x7 feet)

 

[ZAP]

I broke one window in the chicken coop at my parents hitting full wedges to the front of the orchard.(no problem)
The other window I broke was when I was hitting shots out of the sandbox into the pool and caught one a little too clean.(that one was in the back of the garage)
Windows are not forgiving.

 

[softconsult]

I can't recall breaking any, but at that age this was just one of many crazy activities. I do know we didn't tense up over the shot!

 

[Tball88]

ughh, my chipping is starting to improve, and it is starting to appear that I didn't realize how far back in my stance low point was. I guess, I'm so short 5'6 on a tall day, that my clubs bottom out very early. I'm actually setting up with the ball a quarter inch or so behind my back foot and am finally making crisp contact

 

[holeout]

What a lot of people don't pay attention to is GRAIN. It plays a huge role in how you play different shots. If it's into you, a leading edge shot can be disaster. In the rough it is even more important. The best rule of thumb I've learned is:

Into the grain or cross-grain: play for less spin.

Down grain: the ball will spin more than you think.

This is all applicable once you've developed some technique and can "hit the shots". Practice and experimentation trump all, and you can't fake it if you haven't been practicing these kinds of shots.

 

[birdie_man]

Windows are not forgiving.

lol good line.

I only got "forgiveness"once but it was off a bounce. (most tense moment of my life watching that ball run its course once I'd hit it)

 

[rogerdodger]

Call me nuts, but the "Carry Move" absoultely helped my pitching. I went from worrying about contact to trying to "feel" the shot at hand without worry. I had a terrible time sH@nKiNg chips and pitches before this. Does this makes sense to anyone b/c the improvment has been drastic.

Agree completely. Improve your pivot, the chips and pitches improve measurably. Unless using a chip/putt stroke, the pivot makes a huge difference. It is easy to under pivot on the short shots.

 

[drewyallop]

2. You bend and cock your right wrist

I find more accuracy by not cocking the right wrist. I just bend it back on the back-swing and then unbend it on the way down. At impact the right wrist is slightly bent and the right palm feels like it is covering the target.

Thanks,
Drew Yallop

 

[Benjaaz]

Chipping

If the ball is sitting down in the rough or even up some I always hit down on the ball instead of trying to catch it in the middle of the face, especially if it's sitting up. I think there's a lot less margin for error.

On tight lies I will open the face, aim a little left and come across the ball a little so it lifts softly into the air. You can do this with various clubs depending upon how much run you want.

With a hardpan lie I will play one of Michelson's shots where I take at least a 56 degree wedge, open the face and essentially hit the ball fat with a lot of speed. Make sure you keep the face open.

If I can I will use up to a 6 iron to chip with, less swing equals less error to me.