Chipping/Pitching to tight greens

[ChrisPietersen]

Was just wondering what would the best approach to chipping/pitching to tight greens be? Not a lot of break in the green, quite fast. Would you try and let it roll, or would you try a more lofted shot and use some backspin to land it softly?

[boogielicious]

Was just wondering what would the best approach to chipping/pitching to tight greens be? Not a lot of break in the green, quite fast. Would you try and let it roll, or would you try a more lofted shot and use some backspin to land it softly?

It really depends on the lie.  If you are in the rough, generally a pitch shot is best.

Off a tight lie or very light rough close to the green, the method below works quite well.

The slope of the green with regards to your shot direction can also be a factor.  A higher softer pitch may not roll out as much on an down hill shot.

[ChrisPietersen]

It really depends on the lie.  If you are in the rough, generally a pitch shot is best.  [CONTENTEMBED=/t/39411/quickie-pitching-video-golf-pitch-shot-technique layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED]   Off a tight lie or very light rough close to the green, the method below works quite well.  [CONTENTEMBED=/t/70998/chipping-with-a-putting-method layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED]  The slope of the green with regards to your shot direction can also be a factor.  A higher softer pitch may not roll out as much on an down hill shot.

To get the soft landing, you probably need loads of backspin? I'm still new to golf, so how would it be best to accomplish this? I know you need a lot of speed to get some spin, but how do you not overcook the pitch then?

[iacas]

To get the soft landing, you probably need loads of backspin?

Trajectory is often more important.

[ChrisPietersen]

Trajectory is often more important.

A higher shot then? Would you accomplish that by moving it forward in the stance, or by trying some sort of a flop shot?

[iacas]

A higher shot then? Would you accomplish that by moving it forward in the stance, or by trying some sort of a flop shot?

Can I ask you a question? Never mind. Scratch that.

If, right now, you're still not regularly breaking 80, or even ever breaking 80… this is really not something about which you should concern yourself.

Get the ball somewhere - pretty much anywhere, honestly - on the green for now. You probably don't quite have the technique or concepts for this type of shot down quite yet.

Beyond that, watch the videos linked to in the pitching link in the second post.

[ChrisPietersen]

Can I ask you a question? Never mind. Scratch that. If, right now, you're still not regularly breaking 80, or even ever breaking 80… this is really not something about which you should concern yourself. Get the ball somewhere - pretty much anywhere, honestly - on the green for now. You probably don't quite have the technique or concepts for this type of shot down quite yet. Beyond that, watch the videos linked to in the pitching link in the second post.

I was just actually trying to learn more. Not that I am able to use it yet, I was just interested in finding out how it is really done. Guys who might have the same question and have better abilities that I do, could find these answers helpful.

[saevel25]

Was just wondering what would the best approach to chipping/pitching to tight greens be? Not a lot of break in the green, quite fast. Would you try and let it roll, or would you try a more lofted shot and use some backspin to land it softly?

Depends on the shot. I've played courses with a lot of green speed and courses with very slow green speed. My method really doesn't change, except I allow for more roll out on certain shots. Also it depends on the firmness of the greens. You can have soft, fast greens and you can fly the ball all the way to the hole and have it stop.

Really for me it is just a minor adjustment on trajectory and landing spot. The technique really doesn't change.

[iacas]

I was just actually trying to learn more. Not that I am able to use it yet, I was just interested in finding out how it is really done.

Guys who might have the same question and have better abilities that I do, could find these answers helpful.

Please understand… I'm trying my best to help YOU right now. I'm good at what I do and a big, big part of that is knowing what to say to people and when to say it. I could describe in great detail how to hit the types of shots you're asking about… and it would be a BAD thing for your development and game. You don't have to worry about that stuff yet.

If those better players in the future want to ask the question, they're more than welcome to. Plus, they'll probably get more out of the conversation than you might know right now. They already know how to hit certain kinds of shots, so something like " Trajectory is often more important. " will mean a lot more to them than fine-grained details on the technique to do it. They ask different kinds of questions, and get different kinds of answers.

[turtleback]

The slope of the green with regards to your shot direction can also be a factor.  A higher softer pitch may not roll out as much on an down hill shot.

Wind really matters too, even on relatively short pitches.  I think it is fair to say that if you are downwind the shot will be much more difficult but if the wind is in your face it is a much easier shot because the wind will help the ball land soft and stop quicker.

[ChrisPietersen]

Please understand… I'm trying my best to help YOU right now. I'm good at what I do and a big, big part of that is knowing what to say to people and when to say it. I could describe in great detail how to hit the types of shots you're asking about… and it would be a BAD thing for your development and game. You don't have to worry about that stuff yet. If those better players in the future want to ask the question, they're more than welcome to. Plus, they'll probably get more out of the conversation than you might know right now. They already know how to hit certain kinds of shots, so something like "[COLOR=181818]Trajectory is often more important.[/COLOR]" will mean a lot more to them than fine-grained details on the technique to do it. They ask different kinds of questions, and get different kinds of answers.

Then I am sorry for asking questions well above my abilities. It was more out of interest than anything else. I appreciate that you are trying to help by telling me what the best would be for me. I just don't know what my abilities are yet, so I don't know what I should actually focus on and ask questions about, so I'm sorry. Just from the few replies here I've already learned that there are much more factors to take into regard while piching/chipping than I thought, so at least I learned something helpful! :-)

[moe63]

Mate, there's nothing wrong with asking questions, especially on something called a forum for 'instruction and playing tips'. You just need to be judicious about the advice you take.

I've only ever broken 80 once so clearly I'm no PRO however, If what your asking is, should you chip and run or throw it back to the flag? I'll tell you what my Dad said to me when he was teaching me 40years ago, 'both shots should be in your kit bag, but only hit the ball in the air when you have to'.  If the approach is flat and pin is back the take a PW or even a 7 iron and run the ball back. If the approach is elevated, then use SW or LW and throw it up. Don't even think about the spin, hit it clean and the ball will check and roll out. Nothing fancy needed, just a simple chipping action.

As a PE teacher for some 28 years, I have found that I should never under estimate the power of an inquisitive mind. Keep asking questions and the ones that want answer will.

[iacas]

Then I am sorry for asking questions well above my abilities. It was more out of interest than anything else.

That's fine, and good, and we're cool with that. But the best answer is still "don't worry about that right now." I think you know what I mean by all that now, too, which is good.

I appreciate that you are trying to help by telling me what the best would be for me. I just don't know what my abilities are yet, so I don't know what I should actually focus on and ask questions about, so I'm sorry.

For now, just get the ball on the green. Learn a basic pitch and a basic chipping motion.

[ChrisPietersen]

That's fine, and good, and we're cool with that. But the best answer is still "don't worry about that right now." I think you know what I mean by all that now, too, which is good. For now, just get the ball on the green. Learn a basic pitch and a basic chipping motion.

I am trying those techniques in the links mentioned earlier. Getting the pitch quite well, just a bit inconsistent in distance and accuracy. My wrists are maybe too loose? For the chip, I'm not getting nice consistent contact, just feels funny to use the putting motion, probably only need to get used to it though! The chip is from the fringe and nearby fairway, right?

[deekay]

You may want to try setting up to the ball as described in this link;

I find that this makes it easy to make a slightly descending stroke into the back of the ball. If you feel a bit rigid or mechanical, you can try letting the weight of the club hinge your wrists just a little in the backswing.

The ball may very well roll a little past the hole, requiring two putts to get down, but after a little practice it’s a very safe shot.

And WAY better than blading a flop shot into the bush behind the green, taking a penalty drop, chipping back on (hopefully!), and then taking two putts anyway!

Later, when you can hit these well nine out of ten times, you can begin practicing the higher shot, where you slide the bounce of the wedge through under the ball. Admittedly, that is probably the method a Tour player would use in order to stop the ball from rolling too far.

But for me it’s definitely : Crawl, then walk, then run!

[Dave2512]

I agree with the keep it simple advice already given by those far more talented and knowledgeable than me. Speaking from experience and what I see on the course from others getting squirrely around the green unnecessarily often leads to frustration. If you are in that position it usually means you've already blown at least one shot so minimizing further damage is a smart play. Nudge it on and try to make a putt.

[ChrisPietersen]

You may want to try setting up to the ball as described in this link; I find that this makes it easy to make a [U]slightly[/U] descending stroke into the back of the ball. If you feel a bit rigid or mechanical, you can try letting the weight of the club hinge your wrists just a little in the backswing. The ball may very well roll a little past the hole, requiring two putts to get down, but after a little practice it’s a very safe shot. And WAY better than blading a flop shot into the bush behind the green, taking a penalty drop, chipping back on (hopefully!), and then taking two putts anyway! Later, when you can hit these well nine out of ten times, you can begin practicing the higher shot, where you slide the bounce of the wedge through under the ball. Admittedly, that is probably the method a Tour player would use in order to stop the ball from rolling too far. But for me it’s definitely : Crawl, then walk, then run!

Will try putting the ball a bit forward in my stance! Could just do the trick on those short chips! Thanks a lot for the advice on how to "think", I think don't do it often enough in my short game. Will defitely try and play much safer from close range! [quote name="Dave2512" url="/t/78197/chipping-pitching-to-tight-greens#post_1077198"]I agree with the keep it simple advice already given by those far more talented and knowledgeable than me. Speaking from experience and what I see on the course from others getting squirrely around the green unnecessarily often leads to frustration. If you are in that position it usually means you've already blown at least one shot so minimizing further damage is a smart play. Nudge it on and try to make a putt.[/quote] This has happens to me a lot, costing me at least 2 shots. I probably try to do too much and try to get the perfect shot. The margin for error is so small, I should rather play it safe next time.

[vangator]

I always try to use my basic swing. Doing a lot of fancy things with setup and other alterations, unless you've really practiced it and have it ingrained, is going to lead to a lot of funky results. I only try to flop a shot if my regular pitch is too risky because a flop shot comes with some inherent risk, particularly for newbies. Aim for the middle of the green. And practice, practice, practice before bringing new shots to the course.