Getting your chip shots close to the hole is one of the fastest ways to slash strokes from your score. It’s the shot that can turn a potential double-bogey into a simple tap-in par. This guide will walk you through the entire process of hitting a crisp, predictable chip shot, breaking it down into simple, repeatable steps from how you stand to the ball to the motion itself. You’ll learn the fundamentals that take the fear out of these delicate shots and give you the confidence to get up and down from anywhere around the green.
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First, What Exactly Is a Chip Shot?
Before we get into the technique, let's clear up a common point of confusion: the difference between a chip and a pitch. Think of it in terms of "air time" versus "roll time."
A chip shot is a low-flying shot that spends minimal time in the air and a majority of its time rolling on the green like a putt. This is your go-to shot when you're just off the green with plenty of putting surface between you and the hole.
A pitch shot is the opposite. It's a high-flying shot with more backspin, designed to spend more time in the air and stop very quickly after it lands. You'd use a pitch when you have to carry a hazard like a bunker or when you have very little green to work with.
For this article, we’re focusing entirely on the chip - the low-running "bump and run" style shot that is the foundation of a great short game.
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Choosing the Right Tool: Your Wedge and the "One Swing" Method
One of the best ways to simplify your chipping is to use one basic chipping motion and simply change the club you use to alter the distance and roll. This takes a lot of the feel and guesswork out of the equation. By using the same simple, repeatable swing and just swapping your wedge, you can produce three different shots with very little effort.
Here are the common wedges to use for this approach:
Pitching Wedge (PW): This has the least loft of the three. It will produce the lowest flight and the most roll. Think of this as your long-distance chipping club, perfect for when you are on the fringe and the pin is all the way on the back of the green.
Gap Wedge (GW) or Approach Wedge (AW): This is your mid-range option. It will fly a little higher than the pitching wedge and roll out less. It’s a great all-around choice for a moderate distance to the pin.
Sand Wedge (SW): With more loft, this club will fly the highest and roll the least. Use this when you have less green to work with and need the ball to land softly and stop sooner.
The beauty of this method is its simplicity. You don't need to learn three different swings. You learn one solid chipping stroke and let the club do the work of controlling the distance.
The Setup: Building a Foundation for Crispy Contact
How you set up to a chip shot is arguably more important than the swing itself. A good setup pre-sets a clean, downward strike on the ball, which is the secret to a perfect chip. If you get this part right, the rest becomes so much easier.
Follow these steps every single time:
1. Stance Width and Alignment
Your stance should be narrow, with your feet only a few inches apart. A good reference is to have your heels almost touching. This narrow base discourages swaying and promotes a simple, rocking motion with your shoulders. From there, open your stance slightly by pulling your lead foot (left foot for right-handers) back a couple of inches. This makes it easier to rotate your body through the shot and see the line to the target.
2. Ball Position
Place the ball in the back of your stance, typically in line with the heel or instep of your trail foot (your right foot for a right-hander). This is a game-changer. Playing the ball back encourages you to hit the ball first with a descending blow, preventing thin "skulled" shots and fat "chili-dips."
3. Weight Distribution
Lean your weight forward, so about 60-70% of your pressure is on your lead foot. You should feel this pressure in your left thigh and quad. This forward lean is another ingredient that helps you hit down on the ball and avoid trying to "scoop" it into the air. Important: Keep this weight on your front foot throughout the entire stroke - back and through.
4. Grip and Shaft Lean
Choke down on the grip an inch or two for more control. With the club behind the ball, press your hands and the club shaft slightly forward, toward the target. Your left arm and the club shaft should form a straight line. This "forward press" de-lofts the clubface a little and sets you up perfectly for that ball-then-turf contact.
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With your setup locked in, the chipping motion itself is incredibly simple. The feeling you want is a one-piece pendulum motion, powered by your chest and shoulders, with almost no wrist movement.
Think "Y" Not "Flick"
Imagine your arms and the club form a capital "Y" at address. Your goal is to maintain that "Y" throughout the chipping motion. Simply rock your shoulders back and forth, turning your chest away from the target on the backswing and turning it toward the target on the follow-through. Your arms, hands, and the club just go along for the ride.
This completely eliminates the biggest fault in chipping: a "flicky" or "scoopy" motion where the wrists break down and try to lift the ball. Your wedges are designed with plenty of loft to get the ball airborne. You just need to present that loft to the ball by striking down on it.
Accelerate Through the Ball
A very common mistake amateurs make is taking too big of a backswing and then slowing the club down into the ball for fear of hitting it too far. This deceleration is a killer - it leads to fat and thin shots all day long.
Trust your setup and club selection. Make a short, compact backswing and feel like you accelerate the clubhead through the impact zone. Your follow-through should be at least as long as your backswing, or even a little longer.
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To really ingrain this technique, here are a couple of excellent drills you can do at the practice green or even in your backyard.
1. The Towel Drill
This is a classic drill for a reason - it works. Lay a towel on the ground about a foot behind your golf ball. The goal is to set up and hit your chip shot without the clubhead touching the towel on your backswing or downswing. This drill forces you to create the correct downward angle of attack, as you must come into the ball on a steeper path to miss the towel. It quickly gets rid of any scooping tendencies.
2. The Gate Drill
Finding the center of the clubface is important for predictable distance control, even on small chips. Place two tees in the ground to create a "gate" just slightly wider than your clubhead. Place the ball in the middle of the gate. Your goal is to swing the clubhead through the gate without touching either tee. This gives you instant feedback on whether you’re hitting the sweet spot or drifting toward the heel or toe.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the chip shot comes down to embracing a solid and repeatable setup and trusting a simple, body-driven motion. By keeping your stance narrow, your weight forward, and the ball back, you are building a foundation for success before the club even moves. From there, it's all about rocking your shoulders to create a one-piece pendulum that delivers the club squarely to the back of the ball.
When you're standing over a tricky chip - maybe your ball is sitting down in some thick rough or on a bare lie - knowing the right play can make all the difference. Our coaching app, Caddie AI, provides that expert second opinion for any situation you face on the course. You can even snap a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll give you a simple recommendation on the best club and shot to play, taking the guesswork out of it so you can commit to your swing with confidence.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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