Chippers and Putting Wedges

[whip_it_out]

  DaSportsGuy said:

When I'm on the fringe I use my putter, but I flip it around and hit it left handed. My accuracy left handed is great, but my speed is usually what's off. I've been doing it ever since I got my current putter and it's worked really well with little practice. Over time and with practice, I think I can perfect it.

Ill do the same thing, but with the toe of the putter. Nice the be able to change how far I want to carry it, but I suppose you can do that with the back of a putter too.

[GaijinGolfer]

I dont currently used one, but Ive used them in the past. Personally, I dont see the sense in wasting a spot in my bag for a club that is a 1 trick poney which I can hit the same shot simply by taking an 8-iron and using a putting stroke.

[uttexas]

No, I don't use a chipper. I use my 4H as a "Texas wedge" for low running chips. I've learned good distance control with it and find it particularly useful for 10-20 yard shots to elevated greens (as long as the ground isn't wet and no hazard between me and the pin)

[HoosierGolfer]

I think most chippers are in the same loft as a 7 or 8 iron and we already have those in the bag. My wife uses a Odyssey chipper and loves it but I would never have the open spot in bag to try one. I use several clubs for chipping depending how far off the green I am. If I'm only off a couple of feet, and have a long way across the green to the hole, I often use my 3 hybrid to bump and run. Anything farther out I just use something with more loft, be it 7, 8, 9 iron or a wedge.

[woodzie264]

Nope - I use my 60* around the greens, love it.

[bogeyhitter25]

I will never find it comfortable to hit a chipper. I feel so much more comfortable with a 9i, PW, SW, or LW.

[Doctorfro]

Seriously? We all have umpteen lofted clubs in our bag. What would anyone need a chipper? I don't get it.

[Greg]

I had one of those chippers once, just didnt use it much, I mostly use a pw for everything inside of 100 yards unless i have to hit a low punch or something, then maybe an 8 or 7 iron, even a 6 iron sometimes if its a long enough shot. My 56 deg sand wedge mostly gets used only from the bunker. If im close to the green most of the time ill try to putt unless the rough is so thick you cant roll the ball through it, i just feel more confident in using the putter. I think its easier to roll the ball to the hole rather than try to fly it there and land it and thats what most pros will tell you as well.

[Nyper]

I guess if it works for you, use it....

but do you ever see any pro's using one? I'm sure it would be handy for me, but not enough to justify removing any other club from the bag.

[etlreams]

I got a chipper when I first started playing the game. Took about a year for me to find that an 8 iron works just as well to chip/bump it off the fringe. I just choke way down and use a putting stroke. Otherwise, if I'm close and feel confident I can get under the ball, I flop it with my 60*

To each their own, though.

[GaijinGolfer]

The thing about a chipper that makes it easier to use for chipping than an iron is the sole. It has a rounded sole, much like a hybrid, so it doesnt dig into the turf like an iron can, but it has a really short shaft on it (almost the same length as a putter), so it makes chipping a lot easier.
I dont personally use one, but I can see why some people do.

[Nickynoodles]

I have never used a chipper and most of them are illegal under rule. I use my 5 wood 5i-6i-7i-8i-9i- and a PW for bump and runs depending on the green, how much to run to the cup and weather. I dont use my 60 degree unless im atleast 20 yards off the green.

[Fourputt]

  Nickynoodles said:

I have never used a chipper and most of them are illegal under rule. I use my 5 wood 5i-6i-7i-8i-9i- and a PW for bump and runs depending on the green, how much to run to the cup and weather. I dont use my 60 degree unless im atleast 20 yards off the green.

Not true. They are only nonconforming if they have 2 hitting faces (i.e. for both right and left handed play)

and more than a 10° loft angle. Otherwise they are just as legal as any iron.

[plugged]

For fringe shots, I use a 4i and can usually get it pretty close, sometimes in, but this is rare. For anything outside the fringe and within 25 yds, I use my 60*.

[TakeDeadAim]

It is generally a club that helps beginners enjoy their first rounds on the course. Once you learn the very basics of a chipping stroke, the chipper becomes obsolete, mainly for its limited range of strokes, whereas the same chip can be done with any other club with varying flight and roll results.

[sean_miller]

  TakeDeadAim said:

It is generally a club that helps beginners enjoy their first rounds on the course. Once you learn the very basics of a chipping stroke, the chipper becomes obsolete, mainly for its limited range of strokes, whereas the same chip can be done with any other club with varying flight and roll results.

I learned the very basics of the chipping stroke on day one. Like any stroke, my first few chips weren't so hot, but a chipper always reminded me of a bike with training wheels.

[iacas]

  sean_miller said:

I learned the very basics of the chipping stroke on day one. Like any stroke, my first few chips weren't so hot, but a chipper always reminded me of a bike with training wheels.

I think we have to be careful there. If a chipping wedge helps make the game easier for someone and they have room in the bag to use it, great. Good for them. No need to call it "training wheels" as if they're teeing it up from everywhere on the course or capping their score at triple bogey.

If we were allowed 15 clubs even I might add a chipping wedge. Why not? They're easier to use because they're simpler. I might never use the thing - I barely use my 14th club as it is (lob wedge) - but I might carry one around on the odd chance I come across a shot where it'd be handy. Heck, a bump and run from a really thin but soggy lie would be a great situation for a chipper. So if some guy out there has 12 or 13 clubs and considers that "complete," then I fully support adding a chipping wedge if it makes the game easier or more enjoyable for him.

[Leftygolfer]

I have never used one but what works for you is great. If you can get it close consistantly with that, great. I just have never seen one left-handed. I think the length would make it much easier to control distance than say a 7 iron. To me the bump and run is hard to judge well since I don't play that much.