Chipping Question - What Does the Trail Arm Do?

[Hugh Jars]

I've been playing around with my chipping lately, moving away from going into the ball steep with the concept of hitting the ball first and then the ground to impacting the ball with a more neutral/vertical club position, bruising the bottom of the club along the ground just before impacting the ball and giving more margin for error. Essentially a more putting type stroke, resulting in less chunked and bladed shots.

I'm in two minds about what the trail arm is meant to do. Should it be staying straight or staying at a locked angle for the duration of the shot or should the elbow be folding on the back swing like a more fuller shot?

Thanks

[Vinsk]

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[boogielicious]

6 hours ago, Hugh Jars said:

I've been playing around with my chipping lately, moving away from going into the ball steep with the concept of hitting the ball first and then the ground to impacting the ball with a more neutral/vertical club position, bruising the bottom of the club along the ground just before impacting the ball and giving more margin for error. Essentially a more putting type stroke, resulting in less chunked and bladed shots.

I'm in two minds about what the trail arm is meant to do. Should it be staying straight or staying at a locked angle for the duration of the shot or should the elbow be folding on the back swing like a more fuller shot?

Thanks

I keep my trail arm with the elbow in (pitch elbow). That is one of my feels for chips. I take the club back without hinging, or feel like it do, and then pivot into the ball. I also add a little palmar flexion in the lead wrist like it do in my full swing.

If you have a My Swing thread, just film your chip and post it.

[MarvChamp]

My own high HCP method...I putt without hands or wrists hinging, shoulder "rock" only...whenever I am at my best. That is the way I chip as well. 8 iron most of the time, but depends on distance. Anyway, it works for me. Best, Marv

[Cantankerish]

I attempt to keep both arms DeChambeau straight and make an exaggerated follow through.  This works so much better for me than any other method I have used.

[billchao]

I keep the trail elbow soft when I chip and it does whatever it needs to do as a natural reaction to the rest of the motion.