Quickest way to shave shots

[cabinessence]

I mentioned this in the single-digit thread.

In terms of time put in, and results gotten out, it has to be chipping. The goal is to avoid thinned chips and, especially, chili dips. These errors will almost always cost the player a full stroke, or more--you are usually in just as bad a position as where you started. These shots are played often, as poor players will tend to miss more greens. And finally, they are also some of the easiest shots to avoid, simply by putting the ball farther back in your stance and hitting down on the ball. With the exception of putting, the chipping motion is THE simplest motion you will use. Even slopping the ball to 15 feet gives you a reasonable chance at an up-and-down and can be accomplished by just about anybody.

A 10-minute lesson with a pro on this topic, or just an hour around a practice green with a focus on hitting crisp chip shots, can instantly shave a couple shots off the 20-handicapper's score. Hands forward, ball back, descending blow. And better scores.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by cabinessence

A 10-minute lesson with a pro on this topic, or just an hour around a practice green with a focus on hitting crisp chip shots, can instantly shave a couple shots off the 20-handicapper's score. Hands forward, ball back, descending blow. And better scores.

Hahahahahahaha!!!

That's rich.

No quick lesson with a pro, nor hundreds of hours around the practice green has been able to improve this hacker's chipping.

When it comes to chipping, I'm Tiger on the practice green, and a retard on the course. Anybody want to chip in for some EST for me?

[gwlee7]

Eracer,

Here are two visualizations for you to try to help you with your chipping.

One: Don't worry about the mechanics of it just imagine that you have to chip the ball under a bench.

Two: Again without worrying about the mechanics of it, imagine that the club you are using to chip with is a match. Simply strike the match under the ball.

[Dave Ireland]

Originally Posted by gwlee7

Eracer,

Here are two visualizations for you to try to help you with your chipping.

One: Don't worry about the mechanics of it just imagine that you have to chip the ball under a bench.

Two: Again without worrying about the mechanics of it, imagine that the club you are using to chip with is a match. Simply strike the match under the ball.

Looks like I have to work on my visualisations !!

[slickpitt]

When I pay attention to what I'm doing and stay focused, I do pretty well. When I lose focus... bleh.... but you're right, chipping really can skyrocket a score.

[Skjay101]

Originally Posted by Dave Ireland

Looks like I have to work on my visualizations !!

Me too...

I typically imagine chipping through an 80 year olds legs while bending over with a hole in her knickers
Or..
I imagine chipping off the nose of my girlfriend, being sure just to strike the ball, not the nose...


Kidding, obviously. I've heard so many of these little visual analogies, some are even more ridiculous.

[gwlee7]

Laugh all you want to at my visualizations. I'll just keep on turning potential bogeys into pars.

[Stanters]

Originally Posted by gwlee7

Laugh all you want to at my visualizations. I'll just keep on turning potential bogeys into pars.

I don't think anyone is laughing at them - more that we can't quite see what you mean.....striking a match....think I know what you mean there but I must confess that chipping under a bench leaves me puzzled - what do you mean here? Bumping the ball under 2-3 feet high, something to do with the club, sorry just lost.......

Genuine ask, any help with chipping is gratefully received.

[IrishGolfer]

If I recall correctly this was referred to by Harvey Penick. As a combat to scooping the ball.

(Actually I just Googled this....)
Apparently an affluent gentleman traveled several hundred miles to Texas in order take a chipping lesson from the Hall of Fame teacher Harvey Penick.

Anyhow, Mr. Penick greeted him; walked him over to the practice area; placed a wooden bench between the student and the edge of the green and said. “Now keep the ball underneath the bench” and then walked away. End of lesson.

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by Stanters

I don't think anyone is laughing at them - more that we can't quite see what you mean.....striking a match....think I know what you mean there but I must confess that chipping under a bench leaves me puzzled - what do you mean here? Bumping the ball under 2-3 feet high, something to do with the club, sorry just lost.......

Genuine ask, any help with chipping is gratefully received.

Okay, I'll go along with that.

First, it's just like IG posted from Harvey Penick. Just pretend like you are knocking the ball under a bench. In order to be successful, your hands will have to lead the clubhead into the ball and you cannot flip your wrists. You'll get the perfect trajectory for you chips.

Second, how do people strike a wooden kitchen match? They use a simple but accelerating stroke. Most people who can't chip hit at the ball instead of smoothly stroking through the ball.

Hope this helps.

[Eracer]

None of this addresses my problem. And it's all about me, me me...!!!

I chip so beautifully on the practice green. But during a round, it seems that every muscle from my shoulder on down to my fingers wants to fire during a chip shot.

Oh yes, I accelerate - like I have solid rocket motors attached to the club. Which of course causes me to bury the clubhead behind the ball, or panic and decelerate so abrubtly that my head is on its way to the next tee before my hands have reached my hip. Flip City!

Get out of my head, ye chipping demons!

[cabinessence]

Originally Posted by Eracer

None of this addresses my problem. And it's all about me, me me...!!!

I chip so beautifully on the practice green. But during a round, it seems that every muscle from my shoulder on down to my fingers wants to fire during a chip shot.

Oh yes, I accelerate - like I have solid rocket motors attached to the club. Which of course causes me to bury the clubhead behind the ball, or panic and decelerate so abrubtly that my head is on its way to the next tee before my hands have reached my hip. Flip City!

Get out of my head, ye chipping demons!

That sounds horrible, my condolences!

[gpo]

One of the biggest chipping problems people have is they use a club with too much loft most of the time. By having a club with a lot of loft it makes you have to have almost perfect contact with the ball.

Realistically people should use a whatever club where if they land the ball 2-3 yards on the green and the ball can stop by the hole. You can use an 8 iron for most chips. Just hit it with a putter stroke and let the ball run to the hole. Misses with a 7 or 8 iron on a chip are alot better than a miss with a 56* wedge. When I was a kid I rarely used anything below an 8 to chip with. My Dad always said just use a 7 iron.

Overall I don't necessarily agree with the idea that chipping is the quickest way to shave strokes. It requires a lot of time to practice to get good at chipping. Although one good thing is it is free.

Every golfer is different and everyone should assess their game to see where it is best to shave strokes. I will say most of the time the short game is deficient for most players.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by gpo

One of the biggest chipping problems people have is they use a club with too much loft most of the time. By having a club with a lot of loft it makes you have to have almost perfect contact with the ball.

Realistically people should use a whatever club where if they land the ball 2-3 yards on the green and the ball can stop by the hole. You can use an 8 iron for most chips. Just hit it with a putter stroke and let the ball run to the hole. Misses with a 7 or 8 iron on a chip are alot better than a miss with a 56* wedge. When I was a kid I rarely used anything below an 8 to chip with. My Dad always said just use a 7 iron.

Overall I don't necessarily agree with the idea that chipping is the quickest way to shave strokes. It requires a lot of time to practice to get good at chipping. Although one good thing is it is free.

Every golfer is different and everyone should assess their game to see where it is best to shave strokes. I will say most of the time the short game is deficient for most players.

This is what my playing partner tells me all the time - and he's a GREAT chipper. But his 8-iron gets up in the air, because he uses a very handsy and vertical motion. When I'm three feet and ten feet away from the surface of the green, I have no confidence that my "putting motion" will even get the ball to the green - hence my use of a sand wedge.

[gpo]

Eracer,
You just have to trust it. Let the club do the work for you. If you swing hard enough the ball will go. Just play the ball back in your stance and putt it with the 8.

The better chipper you the more you use your wrists and hands. It is kinda natural. The thing is your partner probably rarely chunks it or hits it thin. He makes good contact. The great thing about a 7 iron chip that is hit thin most likely the grass will slow it down enough and the distance will probably be ok. Plus with a 7 or 8 and the ball back in your stance it is almost impossible to chunk it.