When the golf ball is near the edge of the green, the little shot that the players play is called chipping. The shot is such that the ball gets a lift, bounces and then rolls alongside the ground to the hole. To play such a shot takes a lot of skill and requires a very small swing. Chipping is all about maximum ground time and minimum air time, the term 'chip and run' is used because it always a low running shot. The simple action makes this low risk and reliable, with minimum error.
When chipping the ball, the important part is to ensure that the lead wrist doesn't break down at some point in the chipping motion. If the wrist does break down, the result is an erratic distance because the trajectory and the roll get altered due to changes in the loft of the club. Another effect it has is that the arm breaks down resulting in bladed shots that go flying high across the green. In order to avoid such a scenario, it is important to work on keeping a firm wrist and a straight arm when playing the shot. If doing this is a difficult task, put a rubber band on your lead wrist and slip the butt end of the club below it while holding the club near the wrist.
When playing a chip shot:
- aim the clubface at the selected target
- the grip should be at the lower end
- feet and body should be maintained parallel to the target
- keep the distance between the feet at approximately eight inches
- most of the body weight should be put on the left foot
- after positioning the ball between the feet, ensure that the ball is about a foot and a half from your stance
- the top of the club handle should be pointed at the left hip and your body should be over the ball with a slight flex in the knees
Once all of this is taken care of, eighty percent of the shot is completed. To play such a shot and as a beginner, a 9-iron is enough, but a 7I, 8I, PW or SI can be used depending on the comfort level.
Now when swinging the club, take the club straight back from the ball, avoid picking up the club steeply with the wrists and draw the club near to the ground. Just like a pendulum swing the club with no wrist action, only the arms and shoulder. Since it is a small swing, the club should go back approximately two feet and not more. When the swing is taken, the club should not stop at the ball but follow on and remember to brush the grass lightly. The left wrist should be kept firm and flat when taking the swing
