[zaphod]

I see a lot of discussion about a simple shot that many golfers ' including myself, have struggled with. So I thought this might be a good topic to help take the "pain" away from those golfers still struggling.

For me I was trying to chip with a swing like a mini-full swing. Taking the club back way too far and following through way too much, decelerating through the hitting zone to control distance. All this did was create plethora of skulls and fat shots.

The realization that the club loft does the work and the wrists remain passive through the hitting zone for the run of the mill chip was important. So I practiced with a dowel in my left hand that extended passed my left hip at address. If I broke my wrists at contact the dowel would hit me. Also figured out that my shoulders MUST be relaxed and free for a good chip.

Basic technique down, I practiced over the winter hitting off a carpet into a carpeted stairway. Keeping a constant perhaps 3 feet away I practiced hitting to different levels of stairs MAINTAINING backspin on the ball. The only way to put backspin on the ball is to allow the ball to advance up the club face at contact while holding the club face angle through the ball. Like allowing the ball to roll up the "WALL" of the club face.

Also practiced hitting different trajectory chips into my driving net in the garage off from a TIGHT weave foot mat. The tight lie allows for no forgiveness and hitting at a further distance allows one the get good feed back.

Now on the course if I need to practice the feeling I visualize the space between my club face and my hands remaining constant going forward. It feels like the club face is "pushing my hands" through to the target with my wrists being very passive. Concentrating on keeping the leading edge of the club face at the same distance from the ground a couple inches passed the ball helps too.

What is your story and swing keys for this devilishly simple shot?