Hello, fellow Duffer! Sarah Chen here, your Golf Instruction Editor, and I’m so excited to help you chip and pitch your way to lower scores. In my 15+ years of teaching, from tour players to weekend warriors, I’ve seen firsthand that mastering the short game is one of the quickest paths to improvement. As the saying goes, “Drive for show, putt for dough,” but I’d add that chipping and pitching sets up that “dough” beautifully!
Today, we’re diving into the essential techniques and mindset for those crucial shots around the green – chips and pitches. Whether you’re facing a tricky lie or staring down a tight pin, approaching these shots with confidence and a solid plan will change your game. Let’s get started!
Why the Short Game? It’s Your Scoring Secret Weapon
Many golfers focus heavily on their full swing, and while that’s important, the short game offers the most immediate return on investment. Think about it: a few improved chips and pitches per round can directly translate to fewer strokes. As the source article highlights:
“Oftentimes I will hear instructors say that if you want to knock a shot or two off your scores in short order start with the low hanging fruit. And that, for the vast majority of golfers, would be chipping and pitching.”
Even tour pros, who average “only 13 to 14 greens hit per round,” rely heavily on their short game to save pars and make birdies. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be competing for US Opens! This statistic powerfully illustrates why every golfer, regardless of skill level, needs a sharp short game.
Setting Up for Success: Chips vs. Pitches
The first step to executing a great short game shot is a solid setup. While chips and pitches are related, they have distinct characteristics. A chip shot is typically a shorter, lower trajectory shot with more roll, used when you have a bit of green to work with. A pitch shot is a longer, higher trajectory shot with less roll, often needed to carry an obstacle or stop the ball quickly.
Here’s how to fine-tune your setup for each:
For Chip Shots:
- Stance: Your feet should be close together, perhaps “a clubhead of space between them.” This limits excessive body movement and promotes a more controlled stroke.
- Weight Distribution: “60-70% on the lead foot.” This forward weight helps ensure you hit down on the ball, making clean contact.
- Ball Position: Keep the “ball just slightly back of center.” This encourages a descending blow and helps you make ball-first contact.
- Hands: “Usually have the hands slightly ahead of the ball.” This forward press delofts the club slightly and maintains that descending angle of attack.
- Body Alignment: Keep your shirt buttons (your sternum) slightly tilted directly over the ball or even slightly toward the target. This pre-sets you to hit down on the ball.
For Pitch Shots:
- Stance: A “little bit wider” than a chip, offering more stability for a slightly longer swing.
- Weight Distribution: Still “60-70% on the lead foot” for consistent contact.
- Ball Position: “Pretty much centered” with pitches, allowing for a slightly shallower angle of attack and more loft.
- Hands: Still “slightly ahead of the ball,” but less pronounced than a chip.
- Body Alignment: Your “shirt buttons vertical.” This supports a more neutral swing path.
The “Y” and “L” for Consistent Contact
The shape your arms and club make throughout the swing is critical for consistency. Here’s a visual cue I often share:
“In the setup we are creating the letter ‘Y’ with our arms and the shaft. We maintain that ‘Y’ throughout a chip shot. With pitch shots we form the letter ‘L’ between the lead arm and the shaft at the top of the abbreviated backswing. There is an ‘L’ in the backswing and an ‘L’ in the through swing.”
Think of it this way:
- Chip Shots: Maintain the ‘Y’ Your arms and club shaft should create a “Y” at address. For chip shots, this “Y” should largely remain intact throughout the backswing and through-swing. This promotes a pendulum-like motion, minimizing wrist hinge and keeping the clubhead low to the ground for clean contact.
- Pitch Shots: Create the ‘L’ For pitch shots, as you take the club back, your lead arm and the club shaft should form an “L” at the top of your backswing. This wrist hinge adds power and loft. Crucially, as you swing through, watch for that “L” again on the follow-through, mirroring your backswing. The article emphasizes that “this goes with every shot in golf from a full swing with the driver to a 3-inch tap-in,” reinforcing the idea of balanced swing length and rhythm.
actionable Drills for Your Practice Routine
1. The “Y” Chip Drill: Set up for a chip shot (feet close, weight forward, ball back). Without hinging your wrists, simply rock your shoulders back and through, maintaining that “Y” shape with your arms and club. Focus on brushing the turf after the ball. Start with small swings and gradually increase length, always keeping the “Y” intact. This drill emphasizes body rotation over arm action, preventing scooping.
2. The “L-to-L” Pitch Drill: Take a practice swing for a pitch shot. Focus on hinging your wrists to create the “L” shape between your lead arm and the shaft at the top of your backswing. Then, swing through and ensure you create a mirrored “L” on the follow-through. Pay attention to the rhythm and tempo, ensuring your backswing and follow-through lengths feel equal. This drill builds feel for distance control and proper wrist hinge.
3. The Lead Arm Distance Calibrator: This is a fantastic way to dial in your pitch shots. Go to the practice green and hit pitch shots with varying swing lengths, focusing on how far your lead arm goes back. For example:
- Lead arm parallel to the ground (9 o’clock)
- Lead arm at 9:30
- Lead arm at 10:00
Hit several shots at each position and note the average distance for each. This gives you a clear understanding of how to “dial in distance control with pitch shots” using your body. Remember, this only works if you’re making solid contact!
Assessing Lies and Making Smart Choices
One often-overlooked aspect of the short game is lie assessment. I always tell my students that the turf conditions dictate your strategy. A ball sitting up in thick rough might allow for more loft, while a tight lie on a fairway demands a precise, non-lofty approach.
“When you are practicing don’t move the ball around until the lie is perfect. Make shots difficult so that you learn. As Nick Saban often said, ‘We make practice hard so games will be easy.’”
This is invaluable advice! When you practice, intentionally place balls in challenging lies – thin, thick, uphill, downhill. This develops your feel for different shots and builds confidence for when you encounter them on the course.
Club Selection and The Power of Rotation
Don’t be afraid to experiment with club selection. While wedges are standard, sometimes a less-lofted club is your best friend when chipping. “Chipping with a hybrid (try it and I bet you’ll like it) is pretty much risk proof whereas the same shot with a lob wedge off a tight lie can be terrifying if you haven’t practiced it much.” I’ve seen countless golfers improve their consistency by choosing a 7-iron or even a hybrid for simple chips where they just need the ball to roll.
Finally, remember the importance of chest rotation. A common mistake is stopping the body and “scooping” at the ball. Even on the shortest chip, your chest needs to keep turning through impact. This rotation helps you make ball-first contact and compress the ball properly, leading to predictable results.
You’ve got this! The short game is an area where anyone can see rapid improvement with focused practice and the right techniques. Embrace these tips and drills, and you’ll be knocking those shots close to the pin in no time. Keep practicing smart, and I’ll see you on the course!
