Skulling chips

[lamebums]

I'm spending the week down in Myrtle Beach (Brought my computer), and I plan to play golf all week. Just had my first round today, but my chipping is killing my game.

No matter what I do, I seem to skull every chip shot, and it dribbles off to the other end of the green. It's frustrating, and I resorted to putting from 10 yards off the green on a few holes because I skulled all my chips. My pitching is fine, but skulled chips cost me 10 strokes or more.

Does anyone have theories on what I'm doing wrong? If I can't fix this quickly, I will be doing a lot of putting from the greenside rough this week.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I played in M.B. on May 27th (Wicked Stick) and 28th (M.B. National Southcreek Course). Good time at both. It was the grand finale for Black Bike Week. (No, I'm not a biker . . . )

A couple of possible reasons (of which I'm sometimes guilty):
1. Getting too wristy, unconsciously trying to help the ball into the air.
2. Looking to see where the ball went before the club made contact with the ball -- aka "looking up/taking a peek."

Hope you have a great time in M.B. on, and off, the course/s and that you solve your chipping woes.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

If what I said earlier doesn't help, click here http://www.golf.com/golf/instruction...581568,00.html and maybe it will help. Also, you might try a Yuengling or two . . .

[WhiteSoxFan]

I used to do this fairly regularly, but I've pretty much got my problem fixed. I basically get a good feel for how hard I want to swing by taking a few practice swings until I get it right. Then, when I address the ball and go to make the chip I kind of forget about that and think about nothing other than making good contact and hitting down on the ball. I think that when you think you need to "sweep" a chip you tend to skull them more often.

[JtotheD]

Move the ball further back in your stance and open your stance more, take a shorter backswing. Use the same pendulum motion as your putter, but dont sole the club in the ground, at address place the club more on the toe of the pitching wedge or whatever club you use (dont use a SW or LW). kick your butt out, bend knees slightly (i like less bend in my right knee (right hander) because it reminds me not to transfer my weight), use a tempo that you like and that will keep you consistent.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: "Put weight on left side and never transfer weight."

Worked for me after alot of practice, shaved at least five strokes off my score, good luck in M.B.

[oneil003]

Don't try and take a long swing and slow it down. For me (I have no idea if it is correct), I always swing hard, but I will just barely bring the club back if its a short chip.

[irfan]

what always helps me is practicing the stroke until i know its the speed i want.. even if i take 10 practice swings... then i make the swing and just trust i have the right speed... if i try to adjust at the last second i skull it.

also make sure ur practice swings are barely grazing the ground.. if not.. keep taking them until u do.

[Finn07]

If I were to say whats wrong, its that your too quick on your chips and not staying down. A quick fix, IMO, is to get your hands ahead of the ball at address. When you strike your chips make sure the shaft is leaning forward at impact, and dont flip your wrists, youll see better results. Have fun down there I was just there but got rained out two of the three days, played River Club and Willbrook Plantation. Have fun....

[allin]

All of the previous posters are possibly right, but when I watch others chip I see this most often when there is to much reliance on the arms and hands and no body movement, even a chip requires your body to turn a little as you return the club back at impact. If you use the classic narrow, open stance, hands and weight pressed forward, ball back in your stance, using soft arms and hands it is almost impossible to skull it unless the slope is very downhill. If your arms and hands have to do to much it becomes easy to stab at the ball causing fat and thin chips unless you practice every day. (especially under pressure)