The great equalizer.
THE QUICK WALKTHROUGH
More than half of all golf shots come from inside 50 yards, which makes the short game the great equalizer — unlike driving, anyone can develop touch around the greens regardless of age or strength. A good chip can save a hole: even when your approach comes up short of the green, a great chip can get the ball close for an easy tap-in. Consistent chipping is the fastest route to lower scores.
What is a chip?
A chip is a low, controlled shot near the green that lands softly and rolls out toward the hole — unlike a pitch, which flies higher and stops quickly.
- When to use one: just off the green with a clear path, when you don't need to carry the ball far, and when you've got plenty of green to roll it like a putt.
- Which club: wedges (50°–60°) for shorter, higher-spinning chips; pitching wedge or 9-iron for low chips that roll more; even a 7-iron or hybrid for a bump-and-run.
CheckpointNarrow stance, ball back, weight forward
Feet close together, ball slightly back in the stance, and 70% of your weight on the lead foot — and it stays there through the whole shot.
CheckpointChoke down, hands ahead, quiet wrists
Grip down the club for control, hands slightly ahead of the ball, without a lot of wrist action.
CheckpointPendulum stroke, let the bounce glide
Rock the shoulders like a pendulum rather than flicking the hands; let the club's bounce glide through the turf and strike down and through — no scooping.
FeelThe butter-knife glide
Let the bounce slide under the ball like a butter knife skimming the turf, instead of digging in like a sharp one. Slide, don't stab.
FeelToss it underhand
Picture tossing a ball underhand toward the hole — that smooth, controlled motion is the chipping stroke.
FeelDribble a basketball
The lead arm feels like it's dribbling a basketball — relaxed and repetitive, never jerky.
MORE TO WATCH
FINAL THOUGHTS
Chipping is a must for playing any course with confidence — especially par-3 and executive courses — and it reinforces full-swing fundamentals: letting the club do the work, controlling the face with the shoulders, and feeling the downward strike and weight shift. You may not bomb 200-yard drives yet, but great chipping and putting earn more pars than you'd expect and break 100 faster than any other skill. The short game is more than half your shots, so give it at least half your practice.
The fastest way to break 100.