Every golfer understands the importance of the short game, and we have provided some great tips for chipping that can help you gain a better short game.For starters a disclaimer is needed: Chips come in many types when the green is close, and there is not a single best method that will get you closer to your intended target. Your chipping effectiveness will depend on many things, including the lie, the grass length, the distance to the hole, and the condition that the green is in.

The standard chip is a good starting point for tips. A standard chip is needed when the green is close but you are not quite on it. This shot usually requires a wedge or 9 iron, whichever you are more comfortable with. The general rule with this type of chip is that the ball should fly approximately one third of the distance to the cup, and then travel the rest of the distance by rolling. A standard chip is ideally played with a square club face, and your hands should be positioned some distance before the ball using the center of the stance.

This chip shot will cause your ball to fly a longer distance, and then gently land near the cup and roll into it. Usually a soft shot is accomplished using a lob wedge, but some players may use a sand wedge for this shot instead. Your club face should be open a little during your address. This shot mostly depends on your ability to speed up the club head and make sure your hands stay behind the ball while you swing. When the soft shot is done properly the ball will fly up higher and travel a small distance, then gently land and roll for only a short distance.

A low shot for chipping is ideal if there is still some distance between the ball and the hole. A low shot usually calls for a 6 iron or 7 iron, and the ball must be played from the stance back so that you get the impact needed as you descend. Your hands should stay in front of the club head, and the face of the club should be square with your intended target. A low shot will cause your ball to roll substantially once the green has been reached. Most golfers use this chip shot when the hole is in sight but there is a risk of going beyond the target, such as a water hazard or a sand trap that is located at the back of the hole.

The top golf tip for chipping success is to practice frequently and utilizing all of the chipping clubs that you have in your bag. Each specific chipping club will have a specific setup and swing involved, and without practice you will not be able to master all of the chip shots.

When you practice chipping on the course, whether you’re at Spring Lake Country Club In Charlotte or another NC course, you will see your shots improve and enjoy the game even more.

Start your practice with the standard chip shot and then go to the soft shot next. These two chip shots are the most common. Once you have the initial two chip shots down then start practicing the low shot next, and while this shot is more difficult to master it is worth the effort.

These chipping tips are a great place to start to improve your short game, and also help to lower your golf score. But this is only the beginning. If you want to be a master golfer, you should start by reading our free guide, Secrets to a Better Golf Swing. Did we mention that it’s free?