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How to Hit a Chip Shot: 8 Ways to Set Up and 6 Ways to Hit it
Here is the way I set up to hit a chip shot.
8 Ways to Set UP
1. Take a narrow stance
When chipping, you don't transfer your weight. A narrow stance will help you keep your weight on your front foot during the whole swing.
2. Keep 80 %( most) of your weight on your front foot
By keeping your weight on your front foot during the swing, you can avoid too much lower body movement that can cause fat and top shots.
3. Set your hands slightly ahead of the ball
This will let you hit it on the descending blow.
4. Set you ball in the center or slightly back of center
Position your ball in the center or slightly back of center to promote downward blow.
5. Lean a little toward the target
Tiger Woods sets up like this. Leaning toward the target will help you hit the ball on the downward blow.
5. You can use putter grip if you like
Tiger Woods uses the putting grip instead of using interlocking grip for a chip shot. Using the putter grip (reverse overlapping grip) will help you limit too much hand action during that swing that will lead to fat or top shots.
6. Use light grip pressure
Try to hold the grip softly and avoid tension in your hands and arms. If you grip it tightly, you'll use too much hands during the swing.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the tightest, Tiger Woods uses 4.
Also, try to keep the grip pressure constant during the swing.
7. Open the stance line a bit
Lots of pros use open stance for chipping because the open stance will let them see the line better and help them swing through the shot.
You don't have to use open stance if that makes things complicated for you. But you can definitely give it a try.
8. Grip down on the Club
Grip your club down close to the shaft. By gripping down on the club, you will be able to control your clubhead much easier. This will help you avoid fat shot and topped shots as well.
5 Important Keys to Hitting This Shot
1. Not much weight shift
For chipping, you don't need a lot of weight shift. For constant contact, you might want to keep your weight on your left foot and keep it there throughout the swing.
2. Control shots with your shoulders not your hands
You don't want to use too much hands and arms in this shot. Try to swing the club or initiate the stroke with your shoulders just like your putter.
3. Hit down on the back of the ball
Tiger's key to chipping is to hit down on the back of the ball. Lots of golfers try to scoop the ball but hit fat and top shots instead.
To get the ball in the air, you need to trust the loft of the club and hit down on it.
Try to focus on the back of the ball for constant contact with the ball. Try not to look up.
You might want to feel like you are pressing the ball against the turf.
4. Accelerate through impact
Too much players decelerate with chipping. You want to accelerate your clubhead through impact for better contact.
If you hit lots of fat shots, make sure you keep your hands ahead of the ball at address and at impact. And don't forget to accelerate your clubhead.
5. Keep the angle of your right hand
Try not to change the angle of your right hand that you have at address throughout the swing. If you use too much wrist action, you tend to hit it fat or top it.
Also, make sure your hands are slightly ahead of the ball at address.
6. Keep your hands ahead of or even with the clubhead
Try to keep your hands ahead of or even with the clubhead all the way through. If the clubhead passes your hands, that means you used your hands too much. This will lead to fat and topped shots.
The Drill for Consistent Chipping
Here is the drill I use for chipping. Grab a towel and put it under your armpits.
Hit shots with your towel under your armpits and try not to let it fall.
This drill will help you use your shoulders and avoid too much hand action during the swing.