Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.
Chipping off of different types of grasses can be a tricky proposition. When you’re used to hitting off one type of turf, switching things up can be a challenge.
For example, up in the northeast, rough around the greens is typically thick and lush. It requires an open face and aggressive swings to get the ball to pop out and onto the green. If you’re playing on Texas, though, the rough is non-existent. Instead, you’re hitting off of tight and grainy Bermuda lies that need a totally different technique.
If you want your game to travel well, it’s imperative you learn how to adjust your technique depending on the conditions. This isn’t always easy, but in order to become a truly elite player, it’s absolutely necessary.
Adjust your chipping technique based on the grass
Drew Stoltz might be one half of the popular podcast Subpar, but he’s also one heck of a mid-amateur golfer. Despite juggling the responsibilities of a budding media career, he’s been a finalist in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball twice in recent years.
Part of the secret to his success is being prepared for any scenario a new course might present. For example, at the Bridges Cup, the lies around the greens were much different than those he sees at his home club in Arizona. But before the competition, he made sure to familiarize himself with the new grass type.
“[The long grass] is the kind of place I want to spend my time,” Stoltz said. “After I hit a handful of these shots, I’ll start to feel how the grass affects the shot. Does it come out dead? Does it come out hot? High, low, those sort of things. These are the areas that I spend my time and I try to develop a feel so that by the time the tournament starts, I’m ready to go.”
It’s obviously important to tune up on the shots you are familiar with during practice rounds, but in order to not be caught off guard during competition, you’ve got to maximize your preparation.
If you’re headed to play a round at a new course, make sure you take some time before the round to get a feel for how the unfamiliar grass plays around the greens. That prep time could be the difference between a personal best and just another forgettable round.
