Chippers

[Bunkermagnet]

Fourteen is such an arbitrary, pull-it-out-of-your-rectum number. It's not a golf number. What's wrong with 18 clubs?

Like your fellow countryman Reed, that would be cheating.

 

[elmoag]

I have always reckoned this is one of the most bizarre subjects.
Me and most of my mates can’t chip for toffee but the ridicule when you use a chipper is terrible.
That’s despite us using all manner of obscure putters and drivers to try and improve.
I used one for one season and my chipping from around the greens was notably better.

 

[Grant85]

I am aware this is a controversial subject. I have only been playing five minutes, and want to know what you guys think. I have been advised by some that you can just use a 6/7/8 iron, and it will do the same thing. From my limited experience I have found that I can use my PW from about 100/80 yards, and then use a 6/7/8 iron from then on to pitch and run, until I get to about 20 yards from the green. I then either chip the ball about 5 feet, or send it to the back of the green or beyond. Having read up on the subject, some say they are a golf club sent from heaven, and others say they are a waste of money. The advantage being that they are a lot shorter than a 7 iron, and therefore psychologically help you play a different shot. Anyway, I have just won one on ebay for £4, and am going to give it a go. Incidentally, it is going to replace my 3 iron, which never comes out of the bag.

So, what are your experiences and thoughts ?

Personally would not bother with a chipper. Surely almost exactly the same thing as gripping down on a 7 or 8 iron. Just take the 3 iron out and have a lighter bag.
If you are struggling with a shot, then practice and a lesson will be a far better way to get better.

I used to struggle with chipping. Learned a technique to think as if you are standing facing a wall and take the club back like you are leaving it in contact with the wall, as opposed to taking it too far behind you.
Makes it much easier and also means that any poor contact shots are still making reasonable contact with the ball.
I generally use an 8 iron, but if you get the technique correct, then you would get more confident using other clubs, e.g. when you need to get the ball up in the air to get over a bunker, slope, rough etc.

 

[clubchamp98]

One of the best players I know uses a chipper. He got to plus 2 cap.
If anyone said any thing he would answer. “ I will use your fiver from the sweep to buy something else”
He was deadly with it and he left everything gimme range.
He’s a bit older now but still has his chipper and still uses it to win the sweep.

 

[Crow]

Chippers usually have a wide sole and more weight low down on the head, playing one is nothing like gripping down on a 7 or 8 iron.

Bronty used to specialise in chippers and putters and anyone who feels inclined can pick up a bargain on ebay any time, for instance:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bronty-Chipper-Mk-1/293406128678?hash=item44505e3a26:g:lywAAOSwKvddXqf4

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRONTY-C...952897?hash=item3d9aca4781:g:bYoAAOSw6vhdHLZN

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRONTY-C...504655?hash=item23c7c61c0f:g:Bj4AAOSwlCRdmzjo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bronty-C...380970?hash=item3b3e7bf2ea:g:Iu0AAOSwQLVd8lIS

 

[Diamond]

Well it should arrive today and at £19.99 if it helps me shoot less than a 56 this weekend for 9 holes it has to be money well spent. It will only take my clubs up to 12 as well. From what I have seen they can be used out of bunkers if the lips are shallow.

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

Chippers usually have a wide sole and more weight low down on the head, playing one is nothing like gripping down on a 7 or 8 iron.

Bronty used to specialise in chippers and putters and anyone who feels inclined can pick up a bargain on ebay any time, for instance:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bronty-Chipper-Mk-1/293406128678?hash=item44505e3a26:g:lywAAOSwKvddXqf4

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRONTY-C...952897?hash=item3d9aca4781:g:bYoAAOSw6vhdHLZN

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRONTY-C...504655?hash=item23c7c61c0f:g:Bj4AAOSwlCRdmzjo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bronty-C...380970?hash=item3b3e7bf2ea:g:Iu0AAOSwQLVd8lIS

In the US, the Matzie Velvet Touch chipper was once a classic.

 

[Dando]

Try using an 7 or 8 iron but in the same way you use a putter, same grip and same stroke.

My chipping is awful at best and your suggestion is what I’ve been trying with some success.
I also use that technique for longer pitch shots from about 35-50 yards with my wedges.

 

[garyinderry]

Fourteen is such an arbitrary, pull-it-out-of-your-rectum number. It's not a golf number. What's wrong with 18 clubs?

1 a hole. I agree. It should be changed immediately. Haha

 

[garyinderry]

Two chippers?? Aren't they all exactly the same?

No they come in differnt flavours. I have a 16 degree one which looks like a 3wood and an old bronty blade type one that looks like a napa putter.

The 16 degree is admittedly far too low lofted for a chipper. The old bronty one is a poor design imo as you can still easily stick the leading edge into the ground.


Wonder has anyone ever been custom fit for a chipper? Haha

 

[clubchamp98]

Fourteen is such an arbitrary, pull-it-out-of-your-rectum number. It's not a golf number. What's wrong with 18 clubs?

There’s only fourteen dividers in my bag.

 

[Diamond]

Played with my chipper this weekend. Played my Local 9 holes on Saturday and went round in 61 my joint lowest score for the course. Played 3 out of 4 shots with the chipper very well.
Played a new course in poor conditions today which is a par 35 and went round in 57. Played some great shots with the chipper. Very handy when in the trees and need an accurate chip onto fairway.
It gave me twice the amount of par putt opportunities than I normally have.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I have always reckoned this is one of the most bizarre subjects.
Me and most of my mates can’t chip for toffee but the ridicule when you use a chipper is terrible.
That’s despite us using all manner of obscure putters and drivers to try and improve.
I used one for one season and my chipping from around the greens was notably better.

Why do you care about the ridicule?
personally I’ve never seen any proper piss taking about peoples equipment

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Played with my chipper this weekend. Played my Local 9 holes on Saturday and went round in 61 my joint lowest score for the course. Played 3 out of 4 shots with the chipper very well.
Played a new course in poor conditions today which is a par 35 and went round in 57. Played some great shots with the chipper. Very handy when in the trees and need an accurate chip onto fairway.
It gave me twice the amount of par putt opportunities than I normally have.

Glad its working out for you.

 

[Diamond]

Glad its working out for you.

Thanks. Enjoyed the round today. Out of 57 shots used the chipper about 6 times. Most useful was a sideways chip onto the fairway between a 2 foot gap between 2 trees. It’s odd that I can 2 putt most holes, get a good drive away most holes yet still take a 9 on some holes. Not sure if it is lack of practice off the fairway with the hybrid or 6 iron or the weather. One thing I noticed today was the enjoyment in playing a short par 3 (120 yards) with my 9 iron. For a new player to the sport it really lifts your spirit is being able to play a casual 9 iron and hitting it clean.

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

I'd play a chipper if it improved my game. I can't chip very well at all, and I'm far from a beginner.
If the collar of the green is not puttable, I sometimes try to lob to the stick because my chipping is so bad.
And I've been trying for a very long time.
What I haven't been doing is practice. Seniors don't practice. We just play while we still can.