Should I practice chipping w/ plastic golf balls?

[paddlefoot]

In times when I can't get to the range, would practicing with air flow golf balls hurt rather than help? I chip around the house with these balls sometimes for practice...

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Just be sure to worry about form and club position and don't worry about what the ball does.

[MI Rob]

If you can, go outside and chip around with real golf balls.

[Zeph]

Why can't you chip around with real balls?

[paddlefoot]

Why can't you chip around with real balls?

I've tried. It pisses my wife off

[live4u120]

I use limited distance balls yeah in the back yard. I go from my next door house, (Vacant) to my pool. A good 50-60 yards

[Zeph]

Focus on good impact and swing technique. Don't see how it should be a problem. You do the same as with a golf ball, it's just a bit lighter and doesn't fly the same.

[PEZGolf]

In times when I can't get to the range, would practicing with air flow golf balls hurt rather than help? I chip around the house with these balls sometimes for practice...

In my opinion, do not do it. Chipping requires a real feel, and that includes the sensation of the ball coming off the clubface. My late brother, my son, and I have taken real ballls, put them on the carpet, and chipped them into the couch. We had a problem only once---when I hit the ball too hard with a sand wedge, and it flew over the couch, and nailed the wall. No one else was home, so I got away with that one.

We use plastic balls outside to practice full shots, but that is the only use we have for those kind of balls.

[BirdIsTheWord]

I do the same sometimes. I putt and chip with real balls, and pitch with the plastic (the walls and ceilings thank me!). I also chip/pitch pennies or dimes off the carpet. I'm in new england, so I have to get creative in an 8-month season...snow-divots can be hard on the wrists, lol.

[ks8829]

If you notice an improvement in your chipping.

If you are focused on technique and impact rather than distance control of your chippings

[Brakkus]

I would add that plastic balls are brilliant for wedge practice,I became very comfortable hitting all sorts of shots practising flops and the difference to my sand play was amazing.

Chips however it just doesn't work,it's very similar to a putt you need the feel of a real ball

[Zeph]

Of course you can't practice distance control and feel, but without the proper technique, feel won't get you anywhere if you hit the ground first. If you've got some bad habits when chipping, ingraining a new feel with air balls works great. If you got that part down, the distance control and feel will come very quickly and automatically. From there you have to work on reading greens and where to aim.

[ApocG10]

I've tried. It pisses my wife off

WTF? why would it piss off your wife? I could see if you were takin g huge divots everywhere, but buy a mat if you have to.

If its the sound of the ball hitting the club, tell her to grow the hell up.