Chip it close my friend.

I often say that chipping is the easiest way to shave strokes off your score. The chip is simple and easy to learn; hitting a driver long and straight is very difficult in comparison. If I have a short, fairly simple chip, I expect to get down in two strokes or less—I consider three strokes equal to hitting a ball in a water hazard, a one stroke penalty! God forbid I take more than three strokes. In addition, I want to chip in close enough for a one or two foot putt. It is a great feeling when you chip one close to the hole and your opponent, in a sour voice, says "pick it up." It is a pleasure to leave the putter in the bag and walk to the next tee! So, you might ask, can you explain this simple and easy method of chipping that is going to make my life more enjoyable? Why, yes I can! Here is a quick overview, along with an easy drill to help cure the most common chipping problems.

Chipping –

The set-up is a very important part of becoming a proficient chipper. Place your feet together, almost touching, with 80 percent of your weight on the foot closest to the target. Grip down on your club (you can use any club in the bag) so your eyes are almost right over the ball. Moving close to the ball may feel awkward at first, but stick with it—the position allows for a much simpler stroke! Have some flex in your arms so your elbows are right against your side. Place the ball back in your stance slightly. With the ball back and your weight forward, the club shaft should lean slightly towards the target. Use you the same grip that you use on your putter. Now the easy part, the stroke…

Once you are set up correctly, you are ready to make a stroke that is similar to your putting stroke. Generally speaking, there should be very little movement in your wrists. To do this properly, you must create the power in the stroke by rocking your shoulders—it should feel as if your right and left shoulder move up and down to supply the force. Another "feel" is having your right and left elbows move up and down. The key is to focus on brushing the ground right where the ball would be. Visualize an arc where the club goes up on the back swing then down to brush the ground right where the ball is, and finally back up in the air on the follow-through.

Practice drill -

The number one mistake I see when people have problems chipping is deceleration. This is a common problem because most golfers take the club too far back on the back swing, and the sub-conscious brain screams out "Slow Down!" just as the golfer approaches impact. The result is usually a chunked shot (hitting the ground behind the ball) or a shot that comes up well short of the hole. Here is the drill to save you from this terrible fate:

Take your favorite chipping club and set up five to ten feet away from the green. Now place your golf bag behind the ball, positioning the bag so you can only take your club away from the ball a couple of feet without hitting your bag. This will force you to take a short back swing. It might feel very difficult at first, but don't quit on the drill. If you use your torso rotation to create the power, you will hit very solid shots. You will accelerate through the shot, and before you know it you will hear those three magic words on the course "pick it up!"