MY GOLF BLUEPRINT

Chipping basics: land it, then let it roll

An iron clubhead beside a golf ball on short grass. — Photo: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels

A chip carries a short distance and rolls farther after landing. When there is clear ground between you and the hole, a lower shot may be easier to repeat than a high lob.

Work through it

Check the lie and the ground between the ball and green.
Choose a club that can clear the first obstacle and then roll.
Use a compact, balanced setup and a short motion.
Pick a landing area rather than staring only at the hole.

A practical example

If a small fringe is the only obstacle, an 8-iron bump-and-run may require less carry than a lofted wedge. Test both before choosing.

Practice task

Place a towel-sized landing zone on an approved practice green. Hit five chips with a wedge and five with a less-lofted iron. Record landing consistency and rollout.

Common mistakes

Avoid flicking the wrists to scoop the ball. Do not assume one carry-to-roll ratio applies on every green; slope, grass and speed change the result.

Choose a comfortable movement and change one variable at a time. Stop if a movement causes pain; a qualified coach can adapt the task to your mobility and experience.