Chipping and Pitching in Golf
Chipping and Pitching in Golf
Updated: November 27, 2024
Chipping and Pitching in Golf
Chipping and pitching are essential techniques in golf’s short game, helping you get the ball closer to the hole when you’re near the green. Understanding the differences and mastering both can significantly improve your score.
1. Chipping
- Purpose: A chip shot is a low, controlled shot designed to get the ball rolling quickly after it lands.
- When to Use: Use a chip when you’re close to the green and want the ball to roll more than it flies.
- Technique:
- Stance: Narrow your stance, with your weight slightly on your lead foot.
- Grip: Use a light grip for better control.
- Swing: Take a short, controlled backswing and follow through. Keep your wrists firm.
- Club Selection: Typically, a wedge or short iron is used.
2. Pitching
- Purpose: A pitch shot is a high, lofted shot that stops quickly on the green.
- When to Use: Use a pitch when you need the ball to fly more than it rolls, especially over obstacles like bunkers.
- Technique:
- Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, with weight balanced slightly forward.
- Grip: Firm but relaxed.
- Swing: Use a longer backswing and let the club’s loft create height. Rotate your body smoothly.
- Club Selection: Commonly use a pitching wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge.
Tips for Improvement
- Practice: Set up drills to work on distance control and accuracy for both chipping and pitching.
- Assess Lies: Adapt your technique to the ground condition (tight lie vs. fluffy grass).
- Visualize: Imagine the shot’s trajectory and where you want the ball to land.
- Experiment: Try different clubs to understand how they affect ball flight and roll.
With consistent practice, chipping and pitching can become reliable tools for lowering your scores!
Here are some effective drills and strategies to improve your chipping and pitching skills in golf:
Chipping Drills
- The Landing Zone Drill
- Purpose: Improve accuracy and distance control.
- How to Do:
- Place a towel or marker on the green about 3–5 yards from the edge.
- Aim to land the ball on the target before letting it roll toward the hole.
- Practice with different clubs (e.g., pitching wedge, 9-iron) to see how each affects roll distance.
- One-Club Drill
- Purpose: Master versatility with a single club.
- How to Do:
- Use one club (e.g., a sand wedge) and practice hitting chips of varying distances by altering swing length and speed.
- Focus on controlling spin and trajectory.
- The Gate Drill
- Purpose: Work on swing path consistency.
- How to Do:
- Place two alignment sticks or clubs parallel to your swing path, forming a “gate.”
- Chip the ball without hitting the sticks to develop a straight and consistent motion.
Pitching Drills
- Clock Face Drill
- Purpose: Improve distance control and feel for pitching.
- How to Do:
- Imagine your swing as a clock face, where 6 o’clock is the ball.
- Practice swinging to different positions (e.g., 7:30, 9:00, 10:30).
- Note how far the ball flies with each swing length for a specific club.
- Flop Shot Practice
- Purpose: Develop confidence in high, soft shots.
- How to Do:
- Use a lob or sand wedge.
- Open the clubface slightly and set up with the ball forward in your stance.
- Swing with an upward motion, letting the club slide under the ball.
- Practice clearing an obstacle (e.g., a practice basket).
- The Circle Drill
- Purpose: Focus on accuracy around the hole.
- How to Do:
- Place a circle of tees or cones around the hole (about 3–5 feet away).
- Pitch balls from 20–40 yards and aim to stop the ball within the circle.
Strategies for Improvement
- Vary Your Practice Environment
- Practice on different types of lies (tight fairways, rough, and slopes). This will build confidence in real-game situations.
- Assess Lie and Club Selection
- For tight lies: Use a lower-lofted club and focus on clean contact.
- For fluffy lies: Choose a higher-lofted club (like a sand wedge) to avoid digging into the grass.
- Develop Feel Over Mechanics
- Spend time practicing without focusing too much on technique. Use your instincts to develop touch and control.
- Simulate Game Situations
- Place balls randomly around the green and simulate “up-and-down” challenges. Try to hole out in two shots from each location.
Quick Tips
- Chipping: Keep the hands ahead of the ball at impact.
- Pitching: Allow your body to rotate smoothly—don’t just rely on your arms.
- Practice Routine: Spend 60% of your short game practice time on chipping and pitching.
Let me know if you’d like more tailored advice!