Duffed chips....nooooooooooo!

[golf_bug]

The worst part of my game by a long way at the moment is chipping/shrt pitch shots. More often than not I will duff it, especially if the pressure is on to get it close to the pin. I have seen several different video tips but there appear to be some conflicting advice on how to play the chip e.g. keep sternum over the ball through the swing vs keep hands quiet and turn upper body through the shot.

Is chipping one of your strengths? If so, please enlighten me!

 

[Imurg]

Play it like a putt. But with a more lofted club. And don't give up on the shot - play through the ball. If you decelerate the clubhead as you are about to hit the ball you'll duff it every time.
And keep your hands slightly in front of the ball - makes you hit down on the back of the ball and it pops up. Don't try to help it into the air - let the loft of the club do it for you.

 

[haplesshacker]

I'm not a good golfer by a long stretch. But I find that with this part of my game the more I think about it, the worse it is.

The only thing I do think of is when I'm taking a practice swing is what sort of weight would I throw the ball with if I was throwing it under-arm towards the hole. I then replicate that when I go to hit the ball.

Pre-shot is about reading the green and where I want the ball to land.

Okay, as I said, I ain't much of a golfer, but this is one bit of my game that has improved. Even if not all the time, though normally because I'm thinking to hard about what type of swing to do. In all honesty, I couln't even tell you what type I do use. I just go on feel of the under-arm swing.

I also started to stick with one club for all shots. That way I know how far the ball will travel and how far the roll out would be. I've only recently started using the 7 iron for just beyond the fringe shots, which has given better results than the wedge.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm finding I'm getting way too much movement on my pitches. My pro told me to keep the weight in front of the ball (imagine my shirt buttons in front at address) but I'm sure the weight is rocking back as I swing. I'm getting the dreaded s****s and hitting them fat. The problem with my chips is I keep breaking my wrists and when I focus on keeping them firm I lose feel or don't commit through the shot

 

[Cernunnos]

One simple way of reducing the duffed chip is to hold the club you are chipping with like a putter, in other words more in the hands than you'd normally play the shot, (playing irons normally its more in the fingers) this will give the head a more toe down attitude. This means that you will be less likely to duff your shots.

TBH there are so many techniques to play chipshots or pitch shots. At the end of the day, there's no simple answer, but the one mentioned here is definitely worth a go.

 

[Smiffy]

My chipping is not too bad to be honest. When I play with mates, they normally expect me to get it quite close.
If I do duff one, it's usually because I've looked up a fraction too early to see the result of my hard work. This is guaranteed to make me duff it. My golden rule when chipping? Keep your head still and don't be in any hurry whatseover to look up. Try to remain down on the shot long enough to see the little "divot" or mark that you have just made. Try it next time.

 

[Cernunnos]

Looking to see where the ball has gone before its actually gone anywhere is a mistake many of us make on all sorts of shots from Driver to putter.

 

[Parmo]

I had the same problem from about 15 yards out, I got some info on it and it said

- back the ball in line with your right foot
- Open your left foot up
- Play the ball like a long putt

Works fine for me.

 

[vig]

Wait until Bob's v easy comes on the market and try one of those. He gave us a demo and try out today and I think he is on to something.

 

[dangermouse]

I'm no expert, but try the rickard strongert video on videojug.com on chipping (think if you search in Sports>Golf you should find it).

I open the stance, put the ball inside the right toe with feet close together and weight on the left side, before trying a firm putting stroke. Seems to work out well for me.

 

[KeefG]

The best advice i can give that hasnt already been given is make doubley (is that a proper word?) sure that you watch the ball until after impact.

I know its one of golf's fundamentals anyway, but you'd be surprised how many good players take their eyes off the ball when chipping.....but think of it this way, you're ball is going no more than say 30yds when chipping, it doesnt matter if you dont look up straight away as you're not going to lose it in such a short space.

 

[Redwood]

Golfbug, I'm not sure what you're handicap is, but if you're half decent and tried all of the tips (normally one works) then have you considered it could be the club. If trying to chip/pitch with a club with too much bounce, or too little, can cause untold problems.

Only advice I can give, and again, like hapless, I'm no pga pro by any means, is to make sure your weight is kept on the front leg, and try and get a good strike into the back of the ball. Short game is certainly more about feel and is one area I need to work on quite often just to stay consistent.
Practice and you should find a natural rhythm, once you have that, try and forget about the mechanics when executing the shot.

 

[bignev]

I agree with Redwood I tried pitching and chipping with just my sand iron as recommended by lots of people but have since found much better results with just my pitching wedge as it has less bounce. And I now make sure Im still looking at my divot after the ball has gone this seems to help that and practice.