Making The Ideal Chip Shot

A chip shot is defined as a short stroke that puts the ball back onto the fairway green and hopefully into or very near the cup, enough for a putt. It is a very vital type of shot because it puts the player back into the game when done correctly, so learning how to do it perfectly is one of the objectives of golf practice. Almost a putt but also a shorter version of the normal stroke, it requires some power but more control, may be a lofting stroke to clear hazards but may likewise be more of a pushing one just to set the golf ball rolling to the hole. It is a shot of many possible strokes, some perhaps not even explained in golf websites yet.

Selecting the Club

The rule on the type of club to use in chip shots is pretty much is the player's choice. Much depends on the situation as well as the player's level of expertise. For example, if the distance is rather short and there are no obstacles in the way, a club face with less loft is preferred because the ball need not fly, and instead roll. The 7- or 8-iron are two very good choices for low-trajectory chip shots.

But when the shot needs to bring the ball over hazards, traps or hedges, a club with more loft is used to lift the ball in a fly-away trajectory. A good rule of practice is the higher the number in the iron, the more loft it makes and less roll. A 9-iron, for example, will make the ball roll two feet for every foot it flies, while a 7-iron will roll the ball four feet for every foot it is above ground. So finding the correct club to use in a certain situation will need plenty of practice beforehand and discovering how the ball might act under every conceivable set of conditions.

Positive Mindsets

As in any game, a positive set of mind is important, mostly for control and concentration. Without it, the chances of making the correct shot will be lower. So before you make the shot visualize it in your mind and be confident you will make it. What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve is how they say it.

Body stances and grips

There are many 'how-to' golf websites that describe what stance to take and how to grip the club in making the chip shot. It might be to lengthy to describe them here, suffice it to say that the rule of thumb is to keep your stance tighter and the strokes shorter as you near the hole. This means all kinds of chip shots you make from after the first drive to the last before the putt. And last, practice and keep practicing.