10 Minute Golf

To Chip, Or Not to Chip

By Darren DeMaille

Throughout my career as a golf professional, I have re-gripped more golf clubs than I care to remember. However, it has taught me a valuable lesson about the average Jack. Most amateurs have no idea what to do around the greens. Typically the average person uses the same club regardless of the situation. This is why most people have more wear on the grip of their sand wedge than any other club. Take some time and examine your grips. If this is you, pay attention!

Chipping vs. Pitching

A chip is a shot in which the golf ball spends more time on the ground than it does in the air. A pitch is the opposite; the ball spends more time in the air. If you watched the British Open recently, you would have noticed more chip shots than pitch shots. Often a player would putt the ball from well off the green. Most golf courses in the United Kingdom are designed to play the game on the ground as opposed to the air. The longer a golf ball spends in the air, the more difficult it is to judge. Learn a lesson from the British and play the ball on the ground whenever possible. Here is how it is done.

Setup for a chip

- The golf ball is played in the back of your stance (this means that the center of your body is in front of the ball).

- The majority of your mass is on the front foot.

- The handle of the golf club is leaning toward the target slightly.

- The handle of the golf club is held more upright.

- Position your hands on the lower half of the grip.

- Grip pressure is soft.

Swing technique

- The stroke requires no wrist action.

- The golf club travels back and through on the target line

- The golf ball is struck with a descending stroke.

Strategy

A pitching wedge (given a flat surface) is a 50/50 club. Even amount of roll and air time. Depending on where your ball lies and where the flag is positioned will determine what club you will hit. As a general rule, I suggest your golf ball fly two or three paces on to the green and roll the rest of the way to the hole. In some situations this could be a pitching wedge and others it could be a 6-iron depending on how much green you have to work with.

Strategically the loft of the club will determine how much a golf ball will travel in the air. In your next round of golf, try to avoid the pitfalls of overusing your sand wedge. Experiment with different clubs and keep the ball on the ground when ever possible.

Use this strategy and your margin of error will decrease and you scores will go lower. If you decide not to use my strategy, my repair shop is open for any of your re-gripping needs.

If you have any questions please send them to tenmindoctor@aol.com.

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