5 Golf Chipping Tips To Save Strokes Around Greens

You can easily fix your chipping with these five stroke-saving fundamentals: Start with a narrow stance, ball just ahead of center, and 70% weight on your lead foot for rock-solid contact. Develop a pendulum swing using your shoulders, no wrist flipping allowed! Choose the right path by matching your club to the situation: 8-iron for bump-and-run, wedges for precision shots. Control distance through three distinct swing lengths rather than changing your tempo. Ultimately, practice using the 4x3x5 method: four clubs, three swing lengths, five target distances to build real course confidence that'll dramatically lower your scores.

When you're standing over a chip shot, your setup position determines whether you'll make crisp contact or chunk it into the rough behind you. Start with a narrow stance about one club-width apart and keep your feet close together for better control. Position the ball just ahead of center in your stance, which promotes solid contact without digging. Here's the most important part: put 70% of your weight on your lead foot and keep it there! This anchors your lower body and creates consistent contact. Place your hands slightly ahead of the ball to engage the club's bounce. A square stance simplifies your aiming process and enhances overall consistency compared to the commonly taught open stance position. Grip down on the club for a better feel, and keep your shaft relatively vertical. Focus on sweeping the ball cleanly through impact rather than making a descending blow. These fundamentals create a putting-like stroke that'll save you strokes.

Since you've nailed your setup position, the next crucial step is developing a pendulum-like swing motion that keeps your wrists rock-solid throughout the entire chip shot.

Think of your arms and club as one solid piece swinging from your shoulders. Your wrists shouldn't hinge, flip, or add any extra acceleration; let gravity do the work! This creates a consistent tempo and eliminates those dreaded thin or chunked shots.

Here's the key: control your distance through backswing length, not wrist action. A longer backswing naturally increases clubhead speed at impact, while a shorter one produces softer shots. Maintaining your distance from the ball and using compact strokes with fewer moving parts will result in better overall performance around the greens. Focus on using the club's bounce rather than the leading edge to prevent digging into the ground and ensure cleaner contact. Practice this pendulum motion by rocking the club back and forth without hitting balls. You'll develop that smooth, rhythmic feel that makes chipping feel effortless.

Why does your chip shot selection matter so much? Because choosing the wrong path can turn a simple up-and-down into a three-putt disaster! The key point is: you've got three main path options that'll save your scorecard.

Low path chips use 8 or 9 irons, creating shots that roll 2.5 to 3.5 times your carry distance. They're perfect for bump-and-run situations when you've got plenty of green to work with.

Medium path chips need gap or pitching wedges, rolling about 1.5 to 2.5 times the carry. These work great on moderate-speed greens. The key is maintaining the same chipping motion regardless of which wedge you choose for the shot.

High path chips require lob or sand wedges, landing softly with minimal roll. Use these when you're facing obstacles or lightning-fast greens that demand precision stopping power near the pin! Remember that your landing angle should stay below 37 degrees to maintain proper chip shot characteristics and avoid shots that check up too aggressively.

Three simple swing lengths will convert your chipping from guesswork into precision distance control. Think of it like having three gears in your short game: short, medium, and long swings that you'll pair with different wedges.

Start with pendulum-like motions, using minimal wrist hinge for your shortest swing. As you move to medium and long swings, add controlled wrist action. The key point is that swing length controls carry distance, while your club's loft determines roll.

Practice the "thumbs down" drill for short swings, keeping everything compact. For medium swings, try the towel-under-arms drill to maintain connection. Use alignment sticks as targets to build muscle memory. Green conditions like firmness and slope will significantly affect how your chips roll out after landing. Mastering this distance control system will reduce the number of putts you need per round.

Combine each swing length with your pitching wedge, gap wedge, and sand wedge. You'll create nine distinct distances without changing your mechanics!

Every effective golfer needs a systematic approach to chipping practice, and the 4x3x5 method creates exactly that arrangement. This structure uses four clubs, three swing lengths, and five target distances to build consistency around the greens.

Start by selecting four clubs that produce different trajectories, such as a sand wedge for high shots and a pitching wedge for lower ones. You'll practice three specific swing lengths: short, medium, and long. Each swing should have its own tempo and arc that you can repeat consistently.

Set up five target distances from 5 to 30 yards, covering typical chipping scenarios. This systematic approach eliminates guesswork and builds muscle memory. Instead of randomly hitting chips, you're creating a repeatable routine that translates directly to lower scores on the course! A solid pitching foundation enhances your ability to execute chips from various lies and distances around the green.

Practice each combination using feedback tools like video recording or swing stations to monitor your progress and ensure proper technique development.

You've got five solid techniques that'll change your short game from frustrating to reliable. Perfect that setup position, keep those wrists stable, pick smart trajectories, control distance with your three swing lengths, and commit to the 4x3x5 practice method. These aren't magic tricks, they're fundamentals that work when you put in the effort. Start with one tip, build confidence, then add the others.