Nicola Moult Golf Academy

            Written by Nicola Moult PGA and LET Member.

Click Here to Print Chipping Handout.

When to play the chip shot:

A player may be required to play a chip shot if:

• The ground between the ball and the edge of the green is too rough to putt over.

• The ball has to travel over an obstacle e.g a bunker.

DO NOT CHIP IF THE BALL IS ON THE PUTTING GREEN.

Which Club to use? 

Any club can be used for chipping but to start out I recommend that you use a SW, 9 iron or 7 iron.

Set up

The key areas to remember when setting up to play a chip shot are:

1) Clubface Aim - should point towards the target (as with putting 90 degrees, see putting tips for clubface
aim in more detail)

• 2) Hold - ten finger hold or overlap, hands placed towards the bottom of the grip.

• 3) Stance (feet) - just less than shoulder width.

• 4) Posture - keeping the back flat, tilt forward and slightly bend the knees

• 5) Ball Position - one inch to the right of centre.

• 6) Weight Distribution - 70% on the left leg and 30%   on the right.

Swing Motion.

The swing motion should be a smooth 'pendulum like' motion moving the arms, shoulders and club together.

MAKE SURE that the left wrist does not hinge at impact and as you follow-though check to see that the left arm and club stay in a staight line -see pictures 1,2 & 3.

The weight should remain on the left leg through-out the swing.

                              Pic 1 - Backswing                                               Pic 2 - Impact                                    Pic 3. Followthrough        

Expected Ball Flight with SW, 9 Iron and 7 Iron.

7 Iron will fly 25% of the total distance and roll 75%.

9 Iron will fly 50% of the total distance and roll 50%.

SW will fly 75% of the total distance and roll 25%.

see picture below: