Posted by Charlie King on Wed, Apr 28, 2010 @ 06:34 PM
This question is asked a lot at my short game schools. "What is the difference between a pitch shot and a chip shot?" A chip shot has more ground time than air time. It is a low running shot. A pitch shot is a mini version of a full swing. It has more air time than roll.
To have good pitching essentials, you must have a good routine.
Pre Swing- Grip, aim, set up, posture, and stance
Ball Position- Back in your stance, the ball flight will be lower. (Most run out)
Middle of your stance, the ball flight will be a little bit higher
Forward in your stance, the ball flight will be the highest. (Least run out)
In pitching, the height of the shot needed depends on how much green you may have to work with. For example, if you were to have 30 or 40 feet of green between you and the hole, you may be able to put the ball back in your stance and hit a lower, running pitch that may only half to fly half way to the hole and release the rest of the way. This shot can be done with a sand wedge or even a pitching wedge. This is the more favorable type of pitch shot, as it is the easiest, with the most room for error.
Some situations may call for a high, soft pitch shot. Usually you may have to go over a bunker, or water, to a pin that may only be a few paces onto the green. A lob wedge is best utilized for this shot. Most would agree that this shot is the hardest shot in golf. Easiest to try to just avoid this shot. If laying up to a green with a tight flag always stay far enough back to leave yourself a full shot into the green.
In chipping, the shot is a low shot that is only in the air for a pace or two and then roles most of the distance to the hole. Ball position is in the middle to back of your stance. Make sure that your weight remains steadily on your forward leg. There is no weight shift for this shot. Once you have this set-up understood, change clubs to make the ball roll farther or shorter. For example, a long chip shot may call for a 7 iron, where a shorter amount of roll could be done with a pitching wedge.
Most importantly with both shots is impact. Remember, hitting slightly down on the ball makes it go up. I repeat, hitting down on the ball will make it go into the air. If you're constantly "sculling" these shots, you're most likely trying to help the ball up in the air. Commonly referred to as "scooping" or "flipping" your hands. And trust me, no matter how often your partners tell you, I promise, it's NOT because you are "lifting your head or looking up!!!"
Good luck with both of these shots.
To get drills and ways to practice, please go to our website
www.reynoldsgolfacademy.com.
Posted by Charlie King on Wed, Apr 28, 2010 @ 06:18 PM
I gave you a full swing tune up last week and this week it is time for a short game tune up to start your golf season in earnest.
I am giving one putting drill and one chipping drill. Don't be fooled by their simplicity. These drills are the real deal. Enjoy.
2 Key Tune Ups for your Short Game
- 2 Club Tracks/Rails Drill
- 2 Ball Gate Drill
- 2 Ball Line Drill
- Up Down Up Motion
Posted by Charlie King on Fri, Feb 26, 2010 @ 02:42 PM
Do you get up and down from off the green?
You might be asking yourself what does this mean. When one golfer says to another golfer "good up and down" it means that you were off the side of the green and you chipped the ball onto the green and made the putt. In Charlie's book "Golf's Red Zone Challenge" there is a great quote about chipping, "When you're a good chipper, chipping gives you par for a partner."
A chip shot is defined as a low running shot, where a pitch shot is defined by more air time. A chip shot is necessary when you are only a few yards off the putting green. At the Reynolds Golf Academy we recommended a two club system, such as an 8 or 9 iron or a pitching wedge or sand wedge. Master two clubs so you can master distance control. You want to select a club which will allow for the ball to just carry onto the putting surface. How much green you have to work with will determine which club to use. Usually the rule of thumb is the further the flag is from the edge of the green, the less lofted of the two clubs you would choose. Everyone is different; it doesn't matter which two clubs you choose, one is not better than the other. Master those two clubs and it will build your confidence around the greens.
Your number one priority in chipping is to hit the ball solidly. The majority of golfers try to lift the ball into the air and onto the green. This results in a scooping motion where your wrists bend upward and the club head gets in front of your hands. This may result in hitting it fat or topping it across the green. Other words in "golf launguage" associated to those bad shots are "chunking it" or "blading it".
The keys to effective chipping are:
- Have about 60% to 80% of your weight on your forward leg, the leg closest to the target. Keep the weight there throughout the swing; no weight shift.
- Ball position is back of center.
- Hands slightly forward.
- The club is swung on an arc. Be careful not to take the club back to low or pick it up too sharply.
- Maintain the same grip pressure throughout the shot.
- Pick a spot where you want the ball to land, then release.
Remember practicing your chipping and becoming a solid ball striker can help your overall game. For more information on chipping and drills to help you improve please go to http://www.reynoldsgolfacademy.com/ and look at our series of video clips and sign up for our newsletter. We want you to be our next success story! If you have any questions please feel free to send me them at knicoletti@reynoldsplantation.com.
Check our Charlie's Chipping video below.
Happy Golfing!!
Posted by Charlie King on Thu, Dec 18, 2008 @ 06:28 PM
Courtesy of Athlon Sports
|
|
Watching the ball until it comes to a rest is a great learning experience, but too few amateurs take the time to do it. Be patient.
Short chips and 4-foot putts tend to be difficult for golfers because of the perceived severity of the consequences of a miss. Golfers tell themselves, I shouldn't miss a 4-footer; I should get my chips and pitches really close. When that doesn't happen, they beat themselves up, adding to the struggles.
I want you to become a patient chipper. You can do this by chipping and counting.
Hit a chip shot, and as the ball travels toward its final destination, I want you to count how many seconds it takes the ball to come to rest. This will bring you to the realization that you can't get an immediate result.
When I see people chop and stab at their chip shots, they're trying for the immediate result - the ball close to the hole, right now.
Chip the best you can, then stand there patiently counting as the ball rolls, rolls, rolls and comes to a stop. Take that time as an opportunity to learn.
Charlie King is the Director of Instruction at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.
Del.icio.us | Digg it |