Due to your level of physical fitness, you may never achieve hitting your driver 300 yards. An inability to achieve the necessary clubhead speed or even a lack of athletic flexibility can actually limit a golf game. However, everyone is absolutely capable of chipping and pitching the golf ball just as well as golf professionals. Distance control, a practice and touch are key to a proficient game of golf, as opposed to power.
The difference between a chip and pitch is that the chip remains low and rolls most of the way to the golf hole, while a pitch flies most of its way. The experienced golfer usually knows when one technique should be used instead of the other.
A descending blow results in chips on the golf green. In lay man terms, this means that the clubhead must reach its lowest point after initial impact. You may be tempted to press the golf club into the grass at address, but that only presets the golf swing’s low point at a spot directly behind the golf ball. Contact is the likely result of this ineffective technique. Instead, it’s advisable to address the golf ball with the leading edge of the clubhead at the golf ball’s equator. With the golf ball in the middle of your golf stance and the shaft angled over slightly toward your target, a descending strike for solid chips can be achieved.
Creating golf shots around the green is not as difficult as one may think. Using one basic chipping technique, one can hit a number of shots just by an assortment of golf club selection. You can begin with a narrow stance and play the golf ball off your back foot. Then, push your hands in front of the ball and maintain your body weight to the left to achieve a descending blow. There is very minimal contribution from your wrists as your shoulders and arms swing the golf club back and through, much like when you make a putting stroke.
Next, it’s wise to attempt the use of different golf clubs to see how the golf ball responds. You can go as high as a 5-iron, which will better produce a low roller with just sufficient airtime to hop over the fringe. This same technique with an 8-iron gives one a little more carry, a hint of check when the golf ball hits the green and a little less of a roll. So, when you chip with the lob or sand wedge, you will produce a lofted backspin pitch to stop quickly once it lands on the golf putting surface.
Now, that the chipping basics are down, you can expand your golf shot selection simply by making slight variations in a golf ball position. For example, you can move the golf ball one-inch forward in your stance for a higher golf shot or one inch farther back to bring this down. It’s wise to experiment with the variety of shots and enjoy yourself while also enhancing your short-game golf arsenal.
