Chipping?

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By KGillard

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  • 17 Replies
  1. Morning everyone! I’ve been reading a couple different sections of the site inluding “Tips”. One concerning practice at home, which I intend quite a bit of. Someone mentioned practicing “chipping”. Please forgive my ignorance of the sport, but is that the same as using my different wedges? I’d there a wedge just for “chipping”? Thanks again! Karl

  2. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    You can "chip" with almost any club in your bag. And, frankly, it's good to know how to do so. HOWEVER, most chipping is done with the different wedges you may carry. That's not to say you can't use a hybrid in a putt-style from off the green, or a wedge to blade-putt through a few inches of short rough from time to time when the lie or situation warrants it.

    Chipping is an art as far as I'm concerned. There is no one-way to do it. There are many basics to follow, though, regarding weight and wrist set. (To set or not to set, that is the question. Answer: IMO, normally not necessary for most short chips, but more so for longer "chipitches." Power should come from your shoulder turn. But, I digress)

    Bottom line, just like any non-driver swings you make, you want to make ball-first contact and NEVER try to get under the ball, unless for a flop or greenside bunker shot, neither of which, in my mind, is considered a chip.

    The more comfortable you become with your wedges and understanding of how they and the swing work together in general, the more creative and proficient you will likely get around the greens.

    As far as using one wedge for chipping, many do. Most better players use more than one wedge and base it on the lie at hand. Some wedges are designed to work better for one type of lie, while others work better for another. Understanding the different lies and the design of the wedges in your bag is an important factor in deciding which wedge you should use in a particular situation.

    For the most part I use 3 specific wedges for the vast majority of my short game work. However, one of those three is my primary tool used probably 65-75% of the time, while the other two are used for certain needs dictated by the lie and type of shot I need to make. I would bet most better players on this forum probably also use a variety of wedges to accomplish whatever shot they might face from around the greens. And all of us, from time to time have used something OTHER than a wedge for a short game shot when the lie or situation calls for it.

  3. Whewww, I have a lot to learn! Thank you much!
  4. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Don't feel overwhelmed. It will come easier and faster than you think. Enjoy the journey.
  5. larry m

    larry m
    columbiana, OH

    Don't worry. Last time out I couldnt CHIP with any club
  6. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Karl, Chipping is generally described as the low, running shot very near the green where a “pitch” is usually a more lofted shot carrying further or from further away. A “lob” being the most extremely high pitch with very little run out. Since you want a chip to run out, you would usually select a less lofted club like 7 iron through gap wedge depending on how far you want to to run out. Some people like to vary the club and others stick to their favorite and vary the hit. Find what works best for you. Enjoy.
  7. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Chipping can be done with virtually any club in the bag. Chipping is when you do not have to elevate the golf ball onto the green as opposed to pitching, when it becomes necessary to elevate the ball onto the green such as going over a greenside bunker. Hope this helps to explain.
  8. Mitch B

    Mitch B
    Huntsville, Alabama

    Chipping is generally done around the green. You can use any of your wedges, or even an iron. Everyone has their favorite, but my go to is my 60 degree.
  9. J.C.

    J.C.
    Texas

    There isn't a wedge designed only for chipping however many players do have one go to wedge when they want to chip. I use my 60 degree as my go to club for chipping
  10. Chipping is a shot around the green. Think of it this way....full wedge is a full swing, a pitch is a half to 3/4 swing with a wedge, and a chip is a more delicate off the green shot. Most use a 56 or 60 degree but if you don’t have the feel and want to play a bump and run you can go as high as a hybrid to almost putt it. Hope that clears it up. I chip and pitch in my back yard all year long, pending snow, to help with my feel and short game. Best of luck with the practice!
  11. J.C.

    J.C.
    Texas

    There isn't a single club that is only for chipping. you'll see people chip with 7 irons. however many people do favor a club as their chipping club. for example I use my 60.12. D grind for all chipping and pitching it is also the club I practice the most with so I understand how to hit a variety of shots with it.
  12. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    A chip is usually a low shot around the green that runs out once it hits the green. You can use any of your irons and even hybrids or fairway woods to hit a chip. Choosing which club to use depends on the shot, for example...if I need to carry the ball about 3 - 4 ft to get it on the green but it needs to run out 30 ft, I will probably use a 7 iron. It just takes practice different clubs to gain the feel for executing chips.
  13. Richard P

    Richard P
    Lorraine, QC

    Hi,
    Yes, you could chip using any wedges or some irons like 9, 8, 7.
    These are partial shots around the green to approach the pin.
    You could go on youtube for some videos.

    Do not practice full wedge shot inside.

    Best regards,

    RichardP
  14. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    I've used an 8 iron to chip with before. Not often but if I need to I will. You can probably chip with any club .
  15. As most have said, you can use just about any of the wedges, irons, or even hybrids to chip with depending on what kind of lie you have, how much grass is between you and the green and how far you are from the hole. So the best thing is to just practice with all of them and find out what suits your swing and game the best. Just an FYI there are clubs called "chippers" that are available at golf stores. Usually they are about 45-47 degrees and are shorter in length (about putter length) so you can use a putting type of stroke. However they do count as one of the 14 clubs you are allowed so if you get one of those you will need to take out some other club so be aware.

    Mark F
  16. gary h

    gary h
    Torrance, CA

    i change the club depending on the difference in surface and flight when chipping
  17. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military
    Whats been said about every club in the bag.. But surprised the hybrid hasn't gotten any love yet. Works really well when ball is against the fringe or on a links course and you need 100 and in!
  18. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Depending on the distance and speed of the green, it could be anything from a pitching wedge to a seven iron.......like one Lee Trevino use to say get it on the green and get it running.....that man had soft hands....I am old school when it comes to chipping....no high lofted wedges for chipping.....it's life putting off the greens with some loft........I have even used my hybrids at times......

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