Monday, January 31, 2011

Mastering The Chip Shot

By Mario Miller


Have you noticed that you simply just cannot work chip shots correctly? Then perhaps, learning a better chipping grip is going to give you the advantage. After all these years playing with your friends, you might actually be embarrassed to attempt a chip shot, but once you have mastered a new chipping grip, the basic chip shot will become like second nature for you. Don't give up if it you don't see results overnight - I always stress to my students that practice makes perfect!

Once you understand how this technique works, all you have to do is to allow the loft of the club to do the rest of the work for you. To become proficient at the chipping grip and the chip shot you have to master a few things.

Ensure that you are focusing on your stance, the golf ball has to be at the back of your stance. As the target leans toward the target area, your hands should be in front of the ball. The best foot positioning for the grip and shot is when your feet are near each other. The movement you use when doing the chip shot should only come from your upper body. The ball can go flying in any direction if you start using your arms and wrists.

Once you take in how to stand in the correct position with the chipping grip, you will naturally connect with the bottom half of the golf bal. This is what you need to achieve.

Notice how you are gripping your chip shot because that is most likely why you are having difficulties. The chipping grip as it is known is the same grip you use when putting. This better chipping grip lets you control your movements with your shoulders. There should not be any action from your hands.

An easy way to practice this a more proper chipping grip, is to obtain a wedge and then grip it as though you are grasping your putter. The position of the whole wedge should be a bit more vertical as opposed to holding the putter. But you have to bear in mind, chipping is really the 'big brother' of putting - try and utilize the same technique.

Small changes to the grip like this one will make all the difference in your playing. This is one of those golf shots, that the club and not your body does the work. If you watch pro golfers you will see that when they execute the chip shot, they use a very slight action each time.

Keep in mind that you don't want to help the ball, never try to give it a push or nudge. If this does transpire then it simply means that you are using your hands too much and your chip shot will fail. By grasping the club with the chipping rip you can master the shot by using a subtle rocking action. Your shoulders should be what controls this rocking motion.

The easiest way for this to work is to simply lead with your left hand. Using the correct technique on the chipping grip, and the proper stance as you hit the ball, you will automatically come down in the right position onto the ball. If you manage to keep most of your weight on your front foot this will be made much easier. It is vital for your hands to arrive in front of the club before impact on the ball.




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