A Note from Karen: I I was recently asked to write a tip about chipping for AboutSports.com. I am sure you all saw the chunk-a-thon by Tiger Woods as he returned to tournament play last week. He chunked chip shots nine different time! Say that fast three times… His poor play around the greens caused a lot of comments in the golf world.

“Finally, something recreational golfers can identify with! I’d like to use tis opportunity (when chunked chips are getting so much attention) to offer some help to recreational golfers who have the same problem,” said About.com Golf Guide’s Brent Kelley.

So here is my take on Chipping…

The task of chipping may not seem like a highly athletic or difficult activity, but even chipping – like all other golf shots – requires hand/eye coordination and body control.

A chip shot involves precision to control the correct yardage and distance to leave the shortest possible putt. Because this shot involves a relatively short swing, there is little time for compensations.

Where a lot of high-handicappers go wrong on chip shots is in trying to hit the ball using only their hands – a kind of scooping action. This scooping action not only causes sculled shots, but fat shots and chunked shots as well.

In an attempt to get the ball airborne, some golfers may try to lift the ball up or scoop at the moment of impact. Many times this causes the club to decelerate, so the clubhead bottoms out before contacting the ball, and the clubhead passes the hands on the follow-through. Ideally, you want the hands to stay ahead of the clubface at impact and as you follow-through.

Click here to view photos of the correct/incorrect impact positions and why your hands should be ahead of the clubface at impact.

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Disclaimer-This program is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment. Any participant should not attempt any exercises mentioned herein, without reviewing and consenting with their doctor or health professional. Karen Palacios-Jansen, Cardiogolf and KPJgolf.com are neither responsible, nor liable for any harm or injury resulting from these exercises or the use of the Cardiogolf program described herein.