Chipping, set up for success!
Many, or most players chip well below their abilities. For most poor chippers it is a lack of understanding of the shot requirements and also the setup position. We have all read the basic and I will list them again.
Seve B, maybe the best short game player ever……..
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Read the lie, the lie will dictate what shots are available to play at low to high risk.
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Keep a majority of weight on lead foot, towards the heel
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Start with sternum vertically aligned closer to the target than the ball
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Play the ball center for most basic shots.
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Set up with the but of the club pointing at or forward of the lead hip socket
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Limit clubface rotation, always keep the heel of the club in front of the toe on the follow-through
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Limit the bend or keep the right or trail arm mostly straight, eliminate the trail arm lever.
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Always have the club increasing the speed at and past the ball.
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This is a rotation shot, use your chest rotation to control speed.
Those are all good tips. One setup tip may help you the most. SET UP IN IMPACT POSITION! Get set up with the ball in the middle of your stance and then move to the impact position. You should have the shaft leaning forward, weight mostly on lead foot, hips open about 20 degrees, shoulder near square to the target line, and right or trial knee kicked in. See the picture below for an image of the impact position at setup. Next time you play or practice your chipping practice getting into impact position at set up and you will see a performance improvement.
Best of Luck
Jim Hartnett, PGA
www.myhoome4golf.com
