Golf is a game of strategy and mental prowess. Golfers can possess all the physical tools for success, but without a strong mind-set and short game, your scores will continue to suffer. The chip shot is used around the greens and is a versatile play in the scoring game.
Up and Down
Golfers primarily employ the chip shot around the greens. The chip shot is a shorter shot, usually taken with a wedge or shorter iron, that bumps the ball onto the putting surface and rolls the rest of the way to the cup. Most often, golfers will use a lofted club to carry the ball in the air at least halfway to the hole. This should should definitely be used when you are next to the green.
Tight Spot
Chip shots are employed when golfers face tough situations -- either with the lie being less than ideal, preventing a more lofted shot, or the slope of the green being so difficult the golfer needs to hit with precision and spin. Using a more lofted club provides control, while cleaning the grooves and using an advanced golf ball like the Titleist Pro VIx provides for some spin that can help the golfer stop the ball close to the hole.
Low-Lipped Bunker
A chip shot is a relatively safe play out of a bunker with a low lip, or no lip at all -- and is a relatively common play. Most sand bunkers around the green have high faces, commonly called lips, that require an explosion shot to advance the ball toward the flag stick. Bunkers with low lips or no lips at all don't require an explosion, and some golfers choose to chip the ball -- making sure to strike the ball first and not the sand -- toward the target.
Trouble Shot
Chip shots are also used by beginning and intermediate golfers when they are in trouble and cannot advance the ball far. These golfers lack the skill set of an advanced golfer to maneuver the ball around trouble -- such as trees or similar obstructions -- and achieve the desired height and curvature to advance the ball toward the target. These golfers should use a chip shot and simply get the ball out of trouble and back into play.
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