Terrible Chipping/Pitching

[Spyder]

So I went out and played 18 this past weekend and I was terrible. I had numerous FIRs and just could not get a GIR to save my life. I would end up fringe or just off where a chip/pitch was necessary. My chipping game lately is KILLING me. On 3 Par-5s, I blew what could have been eagle/birdie and wound up Par or 6.

One particular hole that really just killed all confidence was a 480-yard, dog-leg right, Par 5. I played a beautiful "slice" and wound up dead center fairway and 4i out from the green (around 180). I landed my 4i about 2 feet off the green in some thick stuff, with about 20 feet of green to play with in front of me, and 30 feet of green on the other side of the pin as well. My chip landed equal to the hole, 1-inch to the right of it and rolled to the opposite fringe. I sucked it up and tried one more time (ball was 1/2 fringe, 1/2 deep cut). I did the same exact thing.. 1 inch short of the cup and rolled it to the other fringe. Then I proceeded to 2-putt the hole..

I really need to stop watching Phil Mickelson's "Hinge and Hold" method and go back to my pendulum approach with my chips and use a solid putting stroke. When I try conventional methods that the pros use, I will blade the ball 9/10 times and end up in recovery/save-the-hole mode.

Does anyone else have any instructions, tips, methods, videos, etc. that they used/use to help improve their pitching/chipping game? This used to be my bread and butter on the course and I could usually land up close enough to 1-putt, but it is quickly leaving me. I'd love to hear some feedback in regards to how you guys approach your chips/pitches with some distance examples, power, amount of green in front of you, etc.

EDIT: Though the greens were SUPER fast - I should have easily had numerous birdies. The power you would use on an average 5 foot putt would be the same power you would use on a 15ft. putt with the greens that we were on. They were also like trampolines as well! A buddy of mine was quick to point out that green speed is not a factor when your chips are landing @ the hole and releasing forward roll right after. Captain Obvious right there huh?

I really don't count on Eagle because I've played for years and never had one yet. When it happens it happens, but I can't let that thought get in my head pre-shot lol.

[mirv]

i freeze my left wrist in a somewhat hinged position before ever taking the club back and just hold it there through the entire chipping stroke, and i only take the club back maybe a foot and take it through an equal distance.  using this, i'd say chipping is probably one of the strongest aspects of my game.  what club do you try to chip with?  i tend to go between the 7, 8 and 9 irons for 95% of my chips.  i put the exact same stroke on each chip shot, but allow the loft of the club to vary the distance the ball travels for me.

[Spyder]

Nice advice. In general I try to start with a PW within 10 yards and start going back (9, 8, 7) depending on distance, lie and how much green I have between myself and the pin. Right now I think it's just my follow-through possibly. I line the shaft of the club up with the inside of my left thigh - leaning the hands forward like a putter. It almost feels like I'm swinging outside of myself though where I'm decelerating through the ball - rather than an equal back/forward motion.

I start telling myself not to blade it or hit it thin and just stay fluid and relaxed like a grandfather clock pre-shot. Then, I usually blade it and send it past the pin, or get under it and it moves 3 feet in front of me. These touchy "just off the fringe" shots get to me more than any other shot on the course. I can play over water from 60 out with a narrow green with my SW and smile. On the other hand, put me in the second cut a few feet off the green and I'll do a lot of talking to myself lol.

[tomvk77]

I use a bit stronger grip on chipshots, and i tend to grip a little firmer, this

blocks the wrists a little. Chips shots from the rough i always use irons or close to the green my hybrid

hybrid makes a solid impact, irons it doesn't matter if you hit it little thin.

[benredik]

Haha that is so true - after I saw his DVD, my short game deteriorated over night, and now I can't go back....

Originally Posted by Spyder ....

I really need to stop watching Phil Mickelson's "Hinge and Hold" method and go back to my pendulum approach with my chips and use a solid putting stroke. When I try conventional methods that the pros use, I will blade the ball 9/10 times and end up in recovery/save-the-hole mode.

[Spyder]

I give him all the credit in the world and he is by far my favorite golfer, but he makes things look a little too easy. Having a cold one and some snacks while watching this DVD makes you think "wow when I do that I'll drop a few strokes right there! what was I thinking!!!"...

Then I found myself on the course saying "Hinge... and..... hold!" in my head while doing my chips. Yeah, right! Hinge and BLADE! No! Son of a ...! Yeah, thanks a LOT Phil! haha. I was like Happy Gilmore when you can hear him cussing out the ball in the Commissioner's office. "Piece of Monkey ...!" "YOU play it where the ... it lies!".

Phil Mickelson's: Secrets of Golf aka Phil Mickelson Makes Golf Look Simple - Don't Try This At Home!

[djackson89]

I've used bits and pieces from his DVD. The putting section was really helpful, and I'll use the hinge and hold from certain areas. But green side rough, I'm using a PW or 52' with a putting stroke and that's that. I'm not trying to put the ball up and have it check and sit. if I have the room it's going to roll as close as I can get it.

He does make it look all too easy.

[Spyder]

Originally Posted by djackson89

I've used bits and pieces from his DVD. The putting section was really helpful, and I'll use the hinge and hold from certain areas. But green side rough, I'm using a PW or 52' with a putting stroke and that's that. I'm not trying to put the ball up and have it check and sit. if I have the room it's going to roll as close as I can get it.

He does make it look all too easy.

The putting part was definitely helpful and I picked up a lot from it as well. I'll need to reset myself by the sounds of it and go back to my PW & putting stroke to chip from green-side rough.

[Stretch]

This is a very simple approach to chipping that works well (for me at least).

You can either chip with one club and slightly vary the length of your swing, or stick to the same motion every time and change the club, as explained below. Pick one method, stick to it and practice, practice, practice!

[Spyder]

Awesome videos, Stretch! Thanks a lot!