The pitch and chip are similar golf shots in that they use abbreviated swings from near the green. Because you take each shot from a different distance, the mechanics are slightly different. Understanding the differences between the two will help you get on the green and closer to the hole.
When to Use Each
Use a pitch when you are too close to the green for a full swing. This is often when you are within 100 yards of the hole. Even with a short iron, a shot hit with a full swing may travel too far. A chip is hit when you are on the fringe or just off the green. You are so close to the hole or the greens are so fast that even an abbreviated swing will send the ball too far.
Swings
A pitch requires an abbreviated swing. If you imagine your club traveling counterclockwise on the face of a clock, the backswing stops at 9:00 and the follow through stops at 3:00. Depending on where you are in relation to the green, you may use a slightly shorter or longer takeback and follow through. When chipping, you use a putt-like swing, keeping the club even along the ground, rather than raising it up and off the ground. You might only take the club back a foot or so and follow through the same distance, similar to a long putt. On both shots, you can lay your wrist back slightly before you begin your backswing, but keep your wrists firm throughout the shot.
Tactics
On pitches, your goal is to pop the ball high into the air so that it hits the green and rolls only a very short distance to the cup, if at all. With chips, your goal is to keep the ball low and roll it toward the cup.
Set Up
On both pitches and putts, place the ball even in your stance, or slightly back, since you will not need your legs to generate power. Keep your feet closer together than for long shots, and use an open stance, with your front foot slightly forward.
Clubs
For pitching, use a wedge to help get the ball in the air. Because the pitch is a delicate shot due to the abbreviated swing, you do not want to have to get the ball in the air with wrist movement. Using a more lofted club lets you get the ball up and keep your wrists firm during the shot to maintain control. Which wedge you use will depend on how far from the hole you are. Many players use a 7 iron for chipping, which pops the ball up only enough to get it out of higher grass, but doesn't send it so high that it comes straight down, decreasing the forward roll. If you are in deeper grass and farther off the green, consider a lower-number iron or a wood, such as a 5 or 7.
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