GOLF TIP - Learning When to Chip, and When to Pitch and Run

GOLF TIP by Debbie Vangellow
LPGA Teaching Professional
Sweetwater Country Club
Houston, Texas
(281) 277-4653

"Learning When to Pitch-
and When to Chip and Run"

The chip shot is a small swing, where the ball lands generally on the front part of the green and rolls to the cup. Club selection determines the amount of roll.

Pitching, on the other hand, is a 1/2 or 3/4 swing with more weight shift and wrist cock that allows the ball to carry close to the hole with very little roll. This shot is played with the most lofted clubs, wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge, or L-wedge, depending on the conditions. The ratio of carry-to-roll distance will therefore be dependent on those same conditions.

THE GRIP:

Use regular swing grip, hands secure but arms relaxed to allow wrist to hinge naturally during swing.

BALL POSITION:

Generally, ball position is in the center of your stance. Some players alter ball position for distance control and softer touch when taking a small swing.

STANCE/HAND POSITION:

Narrow with weight slightly left to control the amount of weight shift. Feet, hips and shoulders parallel left, hands even with the golf ball in address position, with the club and shaft angle set as tool is designed.

POSTURE:

Bend from the hips, arms hang from the shoulders in an "athletic ready position."

STROKE/SWING:

Clip grass with an equal arc on both sides of the golf ball, shifting weight side to side and turning in a shift, turn, shift, turn sequence, finishing this motion with weight on your left side, belt buckle facing target, up on right toe.
For short shots around the green the player has the option of chipping, pitching or playing a "bump and run" shot. The choice will depend on the lie of the ball, the amount of green between the edge of the green and the pin, the condition of the green, and the obstacles you have to go over or through.

You may choose to chip (little carry, mostly roll) when the lie is close or bad, downhill green, hard green, with the wind, OR.....

You may choose to pitch (more carry, little roll) when the lie is good, fluffy, uphill green, soft green, against the wind OR.....

You may choose to bump and run when there is too little green for the carry and roll of the ball.

To truly become a short game artist, practice each of these shots and you will have the confidence to execute the one the situation call for on the golf course. Good luck!