How to Chip a Golf Ball
Part of the fun in playing golf is wondering what club to use for chipping when you have missed the green on an approach shot or you thought you had enough club to reach the green but you came up short. We all miss the green occasionally whether we like it or not. Luckily, we can get up and down with a chip and a putt. Or can we chip? Can we pull a Phil Mickelson and lob a shot over a greenside bunker or do an Arnold Palmer bump and run to get the ball closer to the pin? Before you get too far, don't go to your local golf shop and ask for a chipping wedge because you won't find one. There are wedges and there are wedge sets. Don't go out and buy the latest greatest wedge until you have mastered the chip shot. It looks easier than you think. First thing you should know is that any club in your bag except your putter can be used as a chipper. Most golfers reach for the PW or SW but you can pick any club in your bag. It just depends on the amount of air time vs roll time. The more air time you want, the higher the loft. The more roll time you want, the lower the loft. So take your pick depending upon how you want to play your shot.
A lot of people use a Cleveland 56 degree wedge to chip with because it has enough bounce in the club to let you swing through the chip. It can also replace the SW in your bag which is also a 56 degree wedge.
Ready to learn how to chip a golf ball? Watch the video below and learn how to chip shots around the green.
A lot of people use a Cleveland 56 degree wedge to chip with because it has enough bounce in the club to let you swing through the chip. It can also replace the SW in your bag which is also a 56 degree wedge.
Ready to learn how to chip a golf ball? Watch the video below and learn how to chip shots around the green.
After watching Clay Ballard's video on his best chip tips, are you excited to get out there and try his tips? Practice your chipping and always set a target. It is better to land your chip and let it roll towards the hole than to fly it close to the hole and hope that it stops on a dime. Unless you know how spin the ball or impart a back spin on it, pick a spot and aim for it. Factor in the air time vs the roll time, choose the right lofted club and chip away.
You can see how swinging the club through the ball pops it into the air. This is where you are letting the club do the work. The loft of the club will determine the trajectory of the ball. The higher the loft, the higher the ball will fly. So when you are wondering what is the best wedge for chipping, the answer depends on the situation you are in. If you want more air time instead of roll then use a higher loft wedge. If you want less air time and more roll then use a lower loft wedge. A 8-iron for example, will give you more roll than a PW. Or a 9-iron will give you less roll than a 6-iron. Experiment with all your irons until you know what club is best for chipping in which circumstance.
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