The Common Pitfalls in Chipping

Many golfers create unnecessary tension in their chipping strokes by trying to limit hand, wrist, and body motion. This tension often stems from a desire to control the shot and avoid mistakes like scooping the ball or chunking the ground. However, this approach can lead to a lack of feel and consistency.

Golfers commonly repeat certain phrases, believing they are key to a solid chipping technique:

• “You don’t want to use your right hand – you’ll start scooping.”
• “I keep my body still and my wrists locked.”
• “Rock your shoulders, rock your shoulders.”

These mantras often translate into a rigid, mechanical stroke that lacks the fluidity and feel necessary for effective chipping. The philosophy of “no body motion, tight hands, and locked wrists” might seem sound, but it often results in poor performance.

The Balance of Hands, Arms, and Body

Some golfers may question the use of wrists in chipping, fearing it might compromise their technique. However, the issue isn’t about using or not using the wrists—it’s about finding the right balance. The best players in the world use a skillful combination of hands, arms, and body movement to produce a smooth and effective chipping stroke. This approach is quite different from the rigid technique many amateur golfers attempt to employ.

The Two Types of Struggling Golfers

When it comes to chipping, we often encounter two types of struggling golfers:

1. Golfer 1: This golfer tries to scoop under the ball, often hitting the ground before the ball or catching the top of the ball. This can lead to chunking or skulling the ball across the green. The fear of making these mistakes often drives them to overcompensate in their technique.

2. Golfer 2: Initially, this golfer may have been a Golfer 1 but was advised to chip with no wrist movement. They lock their wrists and attempt a pendulum stroke without moving their body, believing this will lead to better control and consistency.

Most golfers start as Golfer 1 and then transition into Golfer 2, often finding only short-term success. The problem arises when they become overly focused on locking their wrists, leading to a deterioration of feel and an increasingly rigid stroke.

The Downward Spiral

As Golfer 2 struggles with their technique, they often respond by tightening their grip and locking their wrists even more, thinking this will fix their issues. This creates a vicious cycle: the more they tighten up, the worse their feel becomes, leading to poorer shots and more frustration.

Many golfers reach a point where they feel they were better when they first started playing. They reminisce about having a decent short game before all the technical advice muddled their natural instincts.

What the Best Players Do Differently

If you watch top golfers, you’ll notice they don’t use an excessive amount of wrist action around the green, nor do they completely lock their wrists. They strike a balance, using a controlled amount of wrist and hand movement, which allows them to maintain feel and finesse.

The difference between struggling golfers and the best players often comes down to this balance. The best players understand that a rigid, mechanical approach won’t yield consistent results. Instead, they blend feel and mechanics to produce smooth, controlled strokes. Watch our video on How to Release Your Golf Swing to Hit the Ball Further so you can learn more about not being too mechanical with your swing and stay athletic!

Conclusion: Go Ahead … Be a Player

To improve your chipping, focus on finding a balance between control and feel. Don’t be afraid to use your wrists and hands to some degree—it’s about moderation and control. By adopting a more relaxed, fluid approach, you can transform your chipping game and start looking as relaxed and confident as the pros.

Marc Solomon – Your Instructor For Life