A chip shot is a short stroke used near the green, hit similar to a putting motion to create a forward roll to the hole. A pitch is an abbreviated swing hit anywhere from several yards to more than 100 that aims to get the ball near the hole without much roll. A pitch helps you get the ball airborne, out of thick grass, over bunkers or waters or from a greater distance.
Chip Shot
Hit a chip shot when you are on the fringe or just off the green in short grass that will let you roll the ball smoothly onto the green and toward the cup. Use a putt-like motion. Keep the club level along the ground with an equal length backswing and follow-through. Some golfers choose to chip out of hard sand if there is no lip at the edge of the sand trap.
Pitch Shot
If you need to get the ball in the air, pitch the ball. Take a longer backswing and allow the club to follow through more than during a chip. If you are approximately 100 yards out or more, you might take the club back three-quarters of the way, or shoulder height, and follow through this way, creating a swing that goes from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock. This swing, in conjunction with a more lofted club, will pop the ball up, hopefully adding some backspin to keep the ball near its landing area on the green.
Setup
Keep your feet closer together than you would for a full swing and place the ball even in your stance, or slightly back, since you won't need to use your legs to create power on these short-distance shots. Lay your wrists back slightly and keep them cocked throughout the swing to maintain control while keeping the clubface open. Trying to break your wrists to add backspin or height often results in a loss of control and an extra stroke.
Clubs
For chipping, consider a 7-iron or rescue wood. The 7-iron is the most popular club for chipping since it provides the heft you need to get the ball forward, with a slightly open clubface to gently pop the ball up to help it get its forward roll started. For extra power in higher grass, try a low iron, such as a 3 or 4. For pitching, you can use a dedicated pitching wedge, a sand wedge, a lob wedge or even a 9-iron if you are farther back and taking close to a full swing.
References
- Golf Instruction; Whether Chipping or Pitching, Setting up Properly Can Save Strokes Around the Greens; Andrew Rice; May 2009
- "Golf Digest"; "Putt" Your Chips; Jim Flick; June 2007
- Shark; Tip #56 - The Pitch Shot; Greg Norman
- "Golf Digest"; Chips: Keep Your Left Wrist Firm; David Leadbetter; October 2010
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