The chip shot in golf is so simple, it's name is used in other sports and life situations to describe an easy effort. Despite the simplicity of this stroke, it can often result in a disastrous one- or two-stroke addition to your score because of the swing's delicate nature. Learning the basics of chipping will help you get on the green and control your ball, avoiding the whiffs, tops and errant rolls that can ruin your chance for a par or birdie.
The Club
The chip shot requires a more lofted club because the straight back and forward swing does not allow you to get under the ball to get it airborne. Too high a loft will create a shot that flies too high, not giving your ball enough forward roll to the cup. Depending on the length of the grass from which you are attempting a chip, you might want a 7-iron, which offers the right combination of loft and heft to get the ball forward in shorter grass, or a rescue club such as a 5-wood to help you gently pop out of taller grass.
The Stance
You don't need power on a chip or a full swing. This means you will not need to use your legs to generate club head speed. These factors place the emphasis of your swing on the arms, allowing you to use a more narrow stance and stand closer to the ball. Placing the toes of your front foot even with the middle of your back foot creates an open stance for more club control. Because you will not need to shift your weight into the ball and you'll be using a shorter swing, an open stance won't create a slice.
The Ball Position
Because you'll hit the ball with a shorter swing using little leg and hip movement during a chip, place the ball back in your stance, or closer to your back foot. This will decrease your chance of pulling the ball to the left and increase your ability to pop the ball up without requiring a delicate wrist movement to get under the ball.
The Swing
A full-length swing requires a 1-2-3 tempo as you take the club back, slow down to help transfer the energy created during the backswing to the forward swing, and then swing forward. A chip uses the 1-2 tempo of a putt, with an even backward/forward swing. The club stays low along the ground, similar to a putt, with the shoulders and forearms moving the club back and forth. A slight break backward in the wrists helps keep the club low to the ground during the backswing and the club face open during the forward swing to elevate the ball at contact. Keep your wrists firm during a chip, and let your forearms do most of the work. Like the putt, the chip requires a full follow-through to create the directional control and ball speed you need to get the ball to the hole.
The Roll
Unlike a pitch, the chip creates a longer forward roll of the ball toward the cup. This is the reason the follow-through is so important. Depending on the green's speed, whether you have an uphill or downhill lie and the break in front of you to the hole, you will want to pop your ball up in the air, landing it about halfway between you and the cup and letting the ball roll to the hole. This will increase your chances of sinking a chip, another main difference between a chip and a pitch, which is simply intended to get you near the hole for a makeable one-putt.
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