Chipping

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, therefore the set-up and the fundamentals need to be correct.  The key is to find a way to control the clubhead with the body, not the hands, while hitting the ball the correct distance.  Here are a few fundamentals to help you with your chipping technique:

• Less air time, more roll – example: roll balls can control roll more than air
• Can use putting grip: to keep wrists firm
• Feet close together-Keeps body more quiet
• Weight towards front leg-hands pressed forward
• Ball position is in the center or towards back foot depending on the lie
• Use a putting stroke-straight back and through
• Try to achieve a slight downward brush
• Use slightly tighter grip pressure
• Hold finish-don’t let wrists flips

On-Course Exercise-

One Handed Drill-With a club take your chipping stance. Now take your trail (bottom) hand and place it behind your back. This drill is performed using only the target (top) hand in the chipping swing motion. Our goal is to swing the club and maintain a straight line with our target arm and the shaft of the club. First, start without a golf ball to get the proper feel of this drill. Second, perform this drill with a ball. Done correctly this drill promotes a flat wrist in the target hand. Done incorrectly the target wrist breaks down and the palm of the target hand faces the ground.

Off-Course Exercise-

Without a Club-Take chipping stance without a golf club, place your palms together, and point finger tips away from your target. Pay attention to the angle created by your wrists. Swing your arms back and forth like you were chipping. As you swing maintain the angle created by your wrists. This drill encourages passive hands that are needed to perform the chip shot consistently.

Chipping Faults and Fixes

You have probably heard a lot of tips about the importance of having light grip pressure. Well, light grip pressure is fine for your full swing, but that’s not what you should do when you chip the ball.

For full swing shots, you want to have light grip pressure so you can open and close the clubface as well as hinge and unhinge your wrists. When you chip the ball, you actually want to keep the clubface very square through the stroke and holding the grip tighter can help you do that.

On a full swing shot, your left thumb should point down the right side of the shaft. This will help you hold the club in your fingers of your left hand and creates swing power by letting your left wrist hinge/unhinge and your left forearm rotate.

On a chip shot, your left thumb should point straight down on top of the shaft. This grip puts the club in the palm of your left hand and helps you keep the clubface square during the stroke.

Holding the club firmly in the palm of your left hand will also help you keep the club swinging straight back and straight through without letting your wrists breakdown.

On-Course Exercise-Practice chipping using this drill. Place a club 8 to 10 inches behind your ball and perpendicular to the target line, swing back up and over club while then coming back down across it.  As you hit the chip and miss the club, making a downward descending blow on the ball.  This drill will prevent you from swinging up or scooping the ball.

Pitching Basics

*The Pitch Shot spends more time in the air than on the ground.

*Use a lofted club like a pitching or sand wedge.

*Open your stance.

*Ball position in the middle.

* Weight on forward foot.

Hinge wrists on the backswing.

*Hit down to make the ball go up in the air.

Pitching Essentials

A pitch or pitch shot, usually played with a highly lofted club like a pitching or sand wedge, is designed to go a short distance with a high ball flight to land softly on the green.

Here are some basic fundamentals to help you become a better short game player.

1. Stance is narrow and open
2. Weight favors the target foot
3. Hands, arms, and shoulders form a triangle with the hands ahead of the ball at address position
4. Hinge your wrists on the backswing
5. Weight is retained on target foot
6. Accelerate your swing on the downswing, keep hands moving
7. Keep your target side firm as you finish swing
8. Distance determines the length of the swing

Take an online lesson with Karen

Improving your swing starts with a proper diagnosis of what you’re doing wrong and knowing how to correct it and practice. Take an online lesson with Karen Powered by SwingPal.com. 

Received $10 off your first online video lesson. Use coupon code karen10 when you checkout to receive your discount.

How it works-

Submit your video of your swing. Karen will personally review your videos and provide a voice-over video analysis of your swing along with swing tips specifically designed for you to help you improve your game. Get feedback and ask Karen questions via email.

Visit KPJgolf.swingpal.com for more information.

KPJ’s Teaching Philosophy-

I focus on teaching my students the fundamentals of the swing.  I try not to get too technical or position oriented.  I think a golf swing is about getting the clubface square at impact with rhythm and tempo.

I try to adjust my instruction to the ability, interests and motivations of the player I am teaching.  Together we will spend time developing an appropriate approach for them to play the game and help them set and achieve short and long terms goals.

Take an online lesson with Karen Powered by SwingPal.com.  Received $10 off your first online video lesson. Use coupon code karen10 when you checkout to receive your discount.

About Karen

LPGA Teaching Professional Karen Palacios-Jansen was voted 2008 LPGA National and Southeast Section Teacher of the Year. Voted by Golf Digest Magazine as one of America’s “Top 50 Women Instructors” for 11 straight years, Karen has her own golf events company-Swing Blade Enterprises in Mooresville, North Carolina. Karen, a certified personal trainer, developed a golf-specific fitness system called Cardiogolf available on DVD and has worked as managing editor for Golf Fitness Magazine since 2007.

A former David Leadbetter trained instructor and Jim McLean Golf School master instructor, Karen has been teaching golf for 17 years and has appeared on The Golf Channel and a is regular contributor writer to golf publications such as Golf Fitness, Golf for Women and Golf Tips.

Karen has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois and has an undergraduate degree from Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Karen was a member of the women’s golf team at Stetson University, qualifying for five LPGA events as an amateur.  Karen played on Future’s Golf Tour from 1990-1993 and was named as one of the “Top 40 Business Leaders in the Golf Industry under the Age of 40″ by Golfweek Magazine in 1999. Karen speaks fluent Spanish and conducts golf clinics in Latin America.

Frequently requested as a public speaker and lecturer at local and national golf shows and conferences, Karen has helped thousands of golfers improve their golf games. For more information-visit http://www.kpjgolf.com