HELP ME ... I can't chip

[DDBowdoin]

So I am an above average golfer... currently around 8.9-9.1Handicap... long off the tee, average ball striker, good putter, but I am can't get up and down...

I carry three vokey wedges (oil can) high bounces, now if I miss a green short and I am 10yds from the green or shorter I blade or chunk chips all the time then I have to scramble and make a long putt to make par (thank god I am a good putter)

but I want to have easy tap in pars, I play on a mini-tour like schedule here in Boston and I need to this to stay competitive

what am I doing wrong, besides the old don't decellerate tip

[Rafcin]

tough to say anything w/o seeing it... usual suspects would be ball position (too far forward), wrist break on follow through and backswing (not recommended on chip shots), lack of follow- through... Are you trying to flop it onto the green or run it up? Since you don't want to hear "old" advices - I won't mention the "keep your head down" comment, but it sure could be a valid one.

[DDBowdoin]

well 1) I always keep the ball back in my stance 2) I am trying to run it up, If I'm left or right of a hole and in the rough I am very accurate either running it in or flopping

my problem is from a tight lie in the fairway, specifically short of the hole

[iacas]

  Rafcin said:

tough to say anything w/o seeing it... usual suspects would be ball position (too far forward), wrist break on follow through and backswing (not recommended on chip shots), lack of follow- through... Are you trying to flop it onto the green or run it up? Since you don't want to hear "old" advices - I won't mention the "keep your head down" comment, but it sure could be a valid one.

Ditto.

[Rafcin]

  DDBowdoin said:

...my problem is from a tight lie in the fairway, specifically short of the hole

did you try a wedge with less bounce than the one you have? Tight lies with 10 deg bounce are almost mutually exclusive...

[DDBowdoin]

No... I like the high bounce because if I tend to miss its right or left ping high where my ball will sit up a little, I don't really miss short but when I do its a really hard shot...

like I said I am blading a lot of shots

[DDBowdoin]

should I try using like a pitching wedge and taking some off or stick with a 56 (my usual club for chipping)

[Rafcin]

  DDBowdoin said:

should I try using like a pitching wedge and taking some off or stick with a 56 (my usual club for chipping)

all other clubs have even more bounce and from a tight lie your chance to "blade" it is even higher - besides the roll is much longer, not all shots will permit that.

Again - w/o seeing it - even Pelz won't be able to help you Find a good place to practice the shot and try all the different things until you find something that works. Confidence is 90% of the swing in the short game, you have to commit to it and can't be afraid - and this doesn't come w/o practice...

[JonnyRockets]

What about trying the ol' bump and run shots. use a 7 iron or something - pick a spot - hit - let it drop and roll to the hole?

Of course, saying that - I may not be the best person to take golf advice from - but my short game is OK.

Jon

[allin]

I used to be a terrible chipper. I have improved by trying to do less not more. I stand with my feet as close together and as open as I can comortably. Then instead of all the focus on wrist cock and hitting down, which if the ball is back as you say and you keep your weight forward doesn't seem to be necessary, unless you are using a lob wedge and hitting it pretty firmly. If you then keep your arms, wrist and hands soft and just try and maintain your extension / triangle just like in a full shot backswing. This is simple I promise you can allow your hips to turn a little and just make a mini swing through the ball. All the technique is pre swing so it takes the tension out of the shot. The same technique from a much more open stance, with the ball front of center, works very well for short flop shots except for bare ground. As long as you have room to let it roll out this works very well.

[SubPar]

I find chipping, like putting, is about 20% technique and 80% confidence. I have brought my index down 4 clicks in six months and a big part of it has been pitching and chipping it close. I got there by working on hitting assorted short shots (high/ soft, low/runners) with a variety of clubs at the range. I get there early and walk off 10, 20, 30 paces and work on relaxing, and staying committed to the swing so as to release cleanly.

Once you get the confidence that comes from practicing a variety of short shots, you should be able to call on that experience when on the course. Obviously, if you are concerned about the outcome of the shot you will either tense up and chunk it, or come out of it. Smooth tempo and confidence can be developed at the range, and then you have to take it to the course.

SubPar

[cheffdiddy_45]

You guys are just a world of knowledge........hell, im comfortable with my chipping/pitching, most of the time, and i enjoyed reading the responces to that.

[LarryK]

  DDBowdoin said:

I carry three vokey wedges (oil can) high bounces, now if I miss a green short and I am 10yds from the green or shorter I blade or chunk chips all the time then I have to scramble and make a long putt to make par (thank god I am a good putter)

As I 16 handicap, I may be more than a bit presumptuous giving advice to a nine, but what the hell, here's something else to try.

From what you've described I would be willing to bet you may be doing one or more of the following that is causing you problems. 1. Since you really don't trust your chipping and it is stressing you out, you may be tightening your grip at address and tensing up in the forearms. Only you know for sure. 2. If so, that might produce a short, choppy, handsy stroke (even if you don't break your wrists on the follow through) 3. If your swing into the ball is too shallow, the slightest error will produce a blade or a chunk (depending on which side of the spectrum you err). So.........repeat after me: "If I am a good putter, I should be a great chipper". And you should be. Especially if you copy most of your putting stroke for your chipping around the green. And what are the elements of that putting stroke that work so well for you? Let me guess: Light, easy grip pressure? More shoulder rotation and less active hands? A longer smoother stroke where the follow through matches the back swing? (If you don't "stab" at putts, why would you stab at chips?) Like Johnny Rockets suggests, a less lofted club might help your subconscious trust the idea of a putting motion a bit more. From 10 yards or so off the green, I'm wondering if a 56 degree isn't telling you to swing it harder than you should. So, smooth it out. Lengthen the swing and keep it loose with whatever club you choose. I really believe you develp "touch" with your shoulders, not your hands.

[Finn07]

Stare in front of the ball at address instead of behind it, that will ensure good clean contact and should prevent from blading it over the green.

[golfchief]

Grip down on the shaft and make half swings,practice with different wedges and fine the reaction your looking for.

[xian]

Why are you chipping with your wedges anyway?

[cdriver]

My friends all say I am good around the greens and bunkers and wish they were able to get it up and down. I spend at LEAST 2/3rd of my practice time at the chipping and bunker area on our course. I usually take a bucket of balls and set up with 25% of them at each of 4 different locations, varying from easy to difficult and I work on getting the ball into the 5 ft "magic circle" for me. I vary locations on different days. At least 25% of the shots are out of the bunkers. I throw the balls in and take em as they lie, good, bad or indifferent. My buddies are all over on the driving range pounding drivers and long irons and they just can't understand why my short game is so much better than theirs. Go figure.

Alter your practice time to allow for more work around the greens and I have faith that you will figure out what technique and what clubs are best for you to get it close to the hole. If you are concentrating, it will work itself out to your best solution

[Wood]

I like to feel about 80% of my weight on my front foot. Try it.