Chipping - hands middle or forward???

[jktan]

I've been a crummy chipper most of my golf days. Haven't quite got a clue how to hit those crisp chips that pop the ball up and land softly near the hole. But I've tried something pretty radical lately, had the shaft straight down on the ball, and played it towards the front-middle of the stance. I seem to get a better strike on the ball, and it goes higher and lands softer. Any ideas why?

[haostaff]

I am one of those who just gravitated towards mini-pitches (opposite of yours) around the greens. This is not by design, I must say, just like my hooks (some kindly call it draws).

But for these shots, I never use anything more than a pitching wedge. Most of the time, sand wedge actually. Only when I am quite far from flag and with quite a bit of green to work with do I consider a pitching wedge.

I do know about the 7-iron chip and runs, but just don't play them regularly.

For these mini-full-shots, I usually take an open stance with my feet, but line up my shoulders to the target, so my knees and hips are lined up somethere in between, i.e. also open. Weight is "sufficiently" on the left. The swing is a shoulder-arm-wrist swing. No movement in hip or down (I guess that shouldn't mean a stiff body). Because it is a narrow stance, the ball feels middle-left in the stance.

Would like to hear how you find this on your practice green

Compared to Tiger, we are all crummy everything. I don't believe you are a crummier chipper than me, JK.

[jktan]

Thanks for the tips, will definitely give it a shot next time out. I find that one of my main problems is decelerating on the downswing. When I just let go and hit the shot like I mean it, quite often it comes out okay.

[soonks]

You may wish to try using your shoulder and hip rotation to chip. I find that its more consistent that way. Also, in the recent Mar GD, they also discuss abt chipping (similar to lighting up a matchstick).

For me, my hands are forward, just beside the front leg's pocket. To land softer, I move the ball forward slightly, and keep the club face open after hitting the ball.