Would you ............

Paperboy

Mini Cam
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
2,088
Location
Southampton, Hampshire
Visit site
After my last few medals since I had my last lesson. Where my pro changed my grip slightly, My chipping has improved a significant amount.

I've been chipping in comps where I could say putt from in and around the green. Not always to great effect as I've not quite got the distance control/feel yet.

Would you carry on chipping in comps or take the safer option? Just wondering as close to a good round and chipping has cost me a few shots recently. Thanks for any advice on this.
 
I always take the terra firma option.Putt whenever possible, or use the lowest lofted club to get the job done.I'm forever watching young players throwing the ball skyward with a lob wedge, when they are only inches off the putting surface.
 
I'm forever watching young players throwing the ball skyward with a lob wedge, when they are only inches off the putting surface.

I don't get this either, I play with a few of our Juniors and they will almost always take the high-road, spectacular when it comes off but usually they're outside of my boring low-road shot.

I ask them why they do it and they can't give a good answer, I think it's a combination of the fearlessness of youth (they don't think about thinning it across the green like I do) and plain showing off.
 
Unless you are confident that a chip will get closer, then Putt.

You have to have confidence in either, but much easier to hit a putt well - and the 'bad' ones are almost always less bad! Spend some time practicing chipping before the round to make sure you have that confidence.
 
Putting is only the safer option as people tend to practice putting more than chipping.

Spend some time practicing chipping and it will soon become the more reliable shot - whether it's with a 7 iron, PW or 60* wedge.
 
I chip with whatever club will land the ball on the green and roll out to the hole. Unless the grass between my ball and the green is cut evenly and tightly and there aren't any unusual slopes on the way to the green.
I'm a poor putter and better chipper.
 
as a kid, i never used a putter of the green, always a wedge. Until a trip to Royal North Devon in a somerset county match changed that. i have now come to respect that the putter is a far more versatile club that i originally thought.

i always use a putter if on the fringe and if ground, and grass allows it. sure. if i am on the fringe and the flag is in aother postcode i will pitch but i would advise to use the ground where possible.
 
I have found good chipping technique pretty much leads to lower scores right away and just needs finessing, focus on the technique and landing spot (which is very important). The brain will find it easier to calculate a distance and the shot will pretty much take care of itself, practice will just make it even more effective.
 
In competitions it's all about your score. Take the option that is going to get the ball into the hole in the lowest number of shots, generally that will be by putting. Use your practice sessions and bounce games to get comfortable with the other options :thup:
 
If I am on the fringe I will putt if its not too long a putt, if I am distance away I will tend to use an 8 iron, as I am not great on long putts.
 
Top