Here is a shot that will lower your score

But first, let me give credit to my friend, colleague and amazing teacher, LPGA Professional Janet Coles. Janet is the originator and a big believer in the 3 Swing System for ladies, and now for men too. Good teaching travels. Simple teaching travels even further.

So many times I see golfers using the wrong club for the wrong shot. Here is the picture. The tee shot lands three feet in front of the green. Tom or Jane gets out of the cart, walks up, sees the ball sitting there and pulls out the beloved “Sandy.” The pin is in the back. They pop it up short, leave too much meat on the bone, then go ahead and three-putt for double bogey. Was it talent? Age? Diet? No... It was a bad decision. Plain and simple. They chose to pitch the ball, which is a higher shot, when there was nothing to hit over.

A chip is like a putt with a slightly more lofted club. It gives the ball what I call “air time.” Not real high. Just high enough to clear a little rough or fringe, then roll the rest of the way to the hole.

Follow these tips and watch the improvement

First, get out of your cart and look at what the shot is asking for. That is important. Do you have anything to clear? Rough? Fringe? A bunker? A mound? Then look at the pin. Is it close? Middle? Back? If there is no real obstacle to clear, then chip it.

  1. Golfer setting the ball near the trail foot with an overturned tray behind it

    Ball near the trail foot

    In your setup, play the ball near your trail foot, about in line with your ankle bone. Notice the overturned metal tray on the ground behind the trail foot. The club must clear that tray during the swing. If you hit the tray, your swing got too scoopy or too far behind the ball.

  2. Golfer demonstrating that the hands should sit under the sternum

    Hands under the sternum

    Next, set up with your hands under your sternum.

  3. Golfer demonstrating weight favoring the lead side during a chip shot

    Weight in the left hip pocket

    Third, your weight should feel like it is mostly in your left hip pocket for a right-handed golfer. You will feel like you are looking at the ball with your left eye.

  4. Golfer demonstrating a downward arm swing without wrist hinge

    An arm swing, not a wrist hinge

    No wrist hinge necessary. This is an arm swing. Feel like you are hitting the ball into the ground. That little downward strike is what gets the ball started properly. It pops up just enough, then rolls like a putt.

Final Tip

Do not be a one-club chipper. Use the guide below and match the club to the shot. Less loft for more roll. More loft when you need a little more air time. When the chips are down, make the smart play. Look first. Choose the right club. Keep it simple. Chip and run. Lower the score. There it is.

Diagram showing that a 5-iron produces more roll, a 7-iron produces a balanced flight and roll, and a 9-iron produces more air time
Vary your club selection on chip shots to vary the length of the shot.