Another Way To Chip?

[Patch]

I golfed with a guy this afternoon who had a very different way to chip. I will try to explain it as best as I remember.

He is a right handed golfer

He would walk up to his ball, and stand beside it, while squarely facing his target, with the ball just to the side of his right foot. Both his feet are pointing to his target. The ball is even with the front of his right shoe, but to the outside of it.. 

Without moving his feet, he would then turn his shoulders to the right, place the club behind the ball, and make his stroke. 

Now at first, I thought the guy was just goofing off. However, after few chips using this stance, I saw his ball run true to his target. 

I asked him how he came to chip this way. He told some guy showed it to him, to help him cure his "yips". That it made him a better chipper, so he has stuck with it for the past ten years. 

An even bigger surprise was he even putted this way, and putted pretty well I might add. 

I didn't ask him about the legality of his different strokes, so I don't know about that aspect of it.

I have my own chipping method I am happy with, but I think next time I use the short game practice area, I will give it a try. 

Anyone else familiar with this method?

[Piz]

That sounds, to me, very similar to the way Sam Snead putted later in his career.  I think there is merit in the idea that we binocular beings triangulate more naturally when we are facing a target or target line.  Owls, so far as I know, do not attack from the side.

[Patch]

20 minutes ago, Piz said:

That sounds, to me, very similar to the way Sam Snead putted later in his career.  I think there is merit in the idea that we binocular beings triangulate more naturally when we are facing a target or target line.  Owls, so far as I know, do not attack from the side.

Well, with that, we can credit you with the naming of this method. We can call it the "Owl Chip-Putt" method. 😀

I knew about Snead's "side saddle" putting, but I have never seen anyone chip with something similar. 

[Missouri Swede]

This?

http://www.golf.com/instruction/2017/03/29/new-way-chip-turn-bogeys-to-pars-birdies

 

[Piz]

Hey @Patch if you chip in, addressing the ball side-saddle, is that a "hooter"?

[paperclip]

Yes, it's legal

[Patch]

3 hours ago, Missouri Swede said:

This?

http://www.golf.com/instruction/2017/03/29/new-way-chip-turn-bogeys-to-pars-birdies

 

Yep, that appears to be the same method. Thanks for finding it. 

[Patch]

I spent some time this morning using this method. Needless to say it was pretty awkward.....at first

After 8, or 9 balls, I started getting it. I can see, that with some diligent practice, this way of chipping can work quite well. For someone who struggles with their chipping, it is a method that could actually help them with crisp ball striking, distance, and accuracy. 

Toughest part for me was the initial shoulder turn. That, and the little wrist cock used. I don't use a wrist cock in my normal chipping stroke. I also had to make sure where my club face was pointing.

I actually hit a few really good chips using it. Not good enough to make me change to it, but good enough to file it away for another day. Never say never. 

[HawkNballs]

I should try this with my full swing.  ha!  I never clear my hips enough.