The best one-two punch in golf is good chipping and putting. But many times, poor chipping puts too much pressure on your putting so if you Improve your putting, you can relive the pressure of chip shots. A chip swing is an exaggerated putting stroke, so practicing one shot will help the other.
So work to improve your chips from a variety of distances – concentrating from one to six feet. Practice your chip shots until you can stop the ball within three feet of the hole every time. Once you can do this, you’ll watch your putt count and scores drop.
More Loft, not Spin
Many times I see golfers trying to put extra spin on short chip shots. Backspin is created mostly from club head speed so golfers try to add backspin by flipping their wrists, lifting the club head, and swinging the head sharply across the ball.
All of these options run a high risk of inconsistency or failure to execute.
The key to stopping the ball quickly on chip shots is to add loft. A chip flying higher will land with a more vertical angle and less roll.
Use a more lofted club – such as a sand wedge or lob wedge – to find the right angle. Allow the club to loft naturally instead of trying to create extra spin. You can play the ball with a forward stance to add loft with making any other changes to your swing.
Stand Up for Distance
The No. 1 request I receive from people asking for swing tips is how to add more distance.
I watch golfers trying to “muscle up” by lowering their height and body weight. Although, this feels like a stronger stance, you are shortening your swing and slowing down your clubhead speed.
I tell juniors golfer to stand tall and proud. If you are 6-foot-2, why would you make yourself 5-foot-7?
Don’t you hit the ball further at 6-foot-2 than at 5-foot-7?
For your best distance posture, check with one of our local LPGA or PGA teaching professionals.
