Chipping!

[Wheyayeman]

Whilst doing a bit late evening chipping practice on the course last night, I came to the conclusion that I may have been over complicating things of late. Back in the day (16yrs or so ago) my short game, from memory at least, was deadly. Anywhere inside 20 yrds of the green I was confident of hitting it inside the dustbin lid for a comfortable putt, and this was achieved using 1 club, my 64 degree lob wedge. I just knew how far I needed to land it for it to run out to the hole. Nowadays after a few years break from the game I've come back a lot more educated and technical and as such I'm playing the best golf of my life and still improving (Touch Wood), but my short game doesn't seem anywhere near as hot as it was, and whilst practicing chip and runs with varying clubs last night it got me thinking about the benefits of using just 1 club and knowing how the ball will react off the club face each time, how far it will go if you hit it this hard and ultimately take the confusion of choice out of the equation.

I no longer have the lob wedge, but my intention for the next month or so is to use my 52 degree gap wedge around the greens without exception and see if I can rekindle my youthful short game.

So I was just wondering what you all do around the greens? Are you a 1 club man? or Do you chop and change to suite each shot? and have you tried it the other way to compare? I personally think some golfers use too many clubs because they think that is what they should be doing (myself included), but I 'd be interested to hear everyones thoughts

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Depending on lie, obstructions etc, I pick a different club to duff the chip required...

 

[bobmac]

If I'm off the front of a long green with the flag at the back I would probably use a 7 iron. Flag at the front...PW or SW middle flag...8 or a 9
As every shot varies, I vary the club and the technique.
Sometimes back in the stance to knock it in rolling, others, high to let it land softly.
It gives me great pleasure to get a difficult up and down.
But if one club works for you, do it.

 

[DaveM]

I can duff it with the best of them, in fact better than most. I always work on the old adage. " your average putt will be better than your best chip, your average chip will be better than your best pitch. Then just take it from there, conditions allowing of course. Then make a total mess of it.

 

[bobmac]

I always work on the old adage. " your average putt will be better than your best chip, your average chip will be better than your best pitch.

My old adage is..
Don't buy any more wedges ya knob, get out there and practice.

 

[Heidi]

am currently just chipping with PW. Lost all my confidence last year with the old chipping, so am rebuilding it slowly!
If I'm off the green and its puttable - i will putt!

 

[USER1999]

I mainly use a 54, but can swap to a 50, 58, or rarely a pw.

I am finding if I am only a yard or so off the green that I get quite nice results putting with my hybrid. It seems less risky some how.

 

[Slicer30]

Recently banished the 60* wedge to the garage after "it" fizzed a few chips across the green.

Now I am using only the PW and SW for chipping - mainly the PW as well. Only use the SW if I need to get over something like a bunker/mound. As we have very few bunkers I can get round with using the PW for most and maybe 1 or 2 shots with the SW.

I definetely seen an improvement - but thats cos my chipping was dire and the only way for it was up!

 

[Region3]

I have a favourite club to chip with (which usually varies depending on recent results) but will use whatever club is best suited to the shot I want to play based on the carry & roll I need.

 

[NWJocko]

I posted something in a similar thread a while ago.

1st Choice = Putt
2nd Choice = Bump and Run with the club for the distance (7,8,9,PW)
3rd Choice = Wedges (56 normally)

Depending on what the green is like between you and the hole, distance, lie etc etc aswell.

In my experience though the sooner you can get the ball running on the green the better.

 

[Stub]

In a recent lesson my pro got me to chip with PW, 8 iron and 6 iron, using 3 different lengths of stroke with each club i.e, 3 identical shots with 3 clubs gives 9 different options. Obviously the PW gives more hight and less roll out and distance for each shot length and the 6 iron gives a lower shot and more distance. A bit of practice with this technique has transformed my short game and of course the technique can be expanded to include more shot lengths and more clubs but there is a strong case, certainly for a high handicapper like me, to restrict the number of clubs and shot lengths to try and produce consistency.

Two other points that helped: keep the shoulders turning through the chip and don't let them stop halfway (resulting in a thin if you do), and keep the ball opposite the right toe (for a right hander).

 

[Wolfman]

I use one club, 48 deg which is used for 99% of my chipping and many approach shots

In the past have used 7, 8 pw etc but by far the single club seems to be the way forward subject to lie

Also changing to a simple technique for me has helped after reading Tom Watsons shorth game book

 

[SocketRocket]

My goto chipping club is my Pitching Wedge for short to medium chips. I deloft it more for slightly longer chips.

I do use various clubs depending on the lie and distance though. Some of these at times: 7 iron, 3 Hybrid, 52 gap, 60 lob & putter.

 

[G1BB0]

7,8,9,pw,52,56 or 60 for me depending on the shot required

majority around the green with the 52 or pw and the 60 is only when I want height so rarely use it nowadays (learnt my lesson)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Whatever the shot needs and depends on how I see it. As my chipping is on the crap side of gash anything that is simple is the first option. I just want to get it on the green and running. Nothing fancy about checking it, hitting it high etc.

 

[Crawfy]

Depends on the pin position and distance from ball to edge of green
7/8 iron if pin at the back, PW if I want to pitch & check

Putter if I hve flunked previous attempts....

 

[kinhell]

A little tip from a pro last night as I wasn't getting a feel for distance when chipping. He said always take at least 3 practice swings when chipping. They don't have to be the length your going to hit but just 3 general swings. When you do hit it it gives you more of a feel for distance and you will be more successful. I tried it and it bloomin works a lot better than no practice swings.

 

[Rooter]

A little tip from a pro last night as I wasn't getting a feel for distance when chipping. He said always take at least 3 practice swings when chipping. They don't have to be the length your going to hit but just 3 general swings. When you do hit it it gives you more of a feel for distance and you will be more successful. I tried it and it bloomin works a lot better than no practice swings.

I got given a similar "trick" for putting, stand beside the ball and imagine you are throwing the ball underarm towards the pin, have this in your head while having your practice swings, this will give you a decent indication of swing needed... it works for me!

 

[Richuk123]

Do whatever feels natural and right, but sensible at that.

I generally use my 60deg around the greens and I can play various different shots with it. I'm not a keen fan of the 7-8iron chip and run shot, I'd rather fly it there aka mickleson.

As I said, how I play it won't suit everyone, so do what feel right for you, then practice it.

 

[Threeoffthetee]

Like many here I used to be an 8-iron bump and run man, or a putt, however since getting some new wedges last year that generate some spin I am more confident in being able to be more bold and know that the ball will grip. This has opened a whole range of new shots. I still try a variety of things mainly based on:

1 - Lie
2 - Green to play with
3 - Obstacles

Doesn't always work but at least I feel like I am thinking about what I am doing and when it does come off it feels great.