x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
This straightforward tip will instantly cure your chipping woes
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
Short Game

This straightforward tip will instantly cure your chipping woes

By: Chris O'Connell
September 6, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
woman hits chip shot

Try this easy tip to cure your chipping woes.

Getty Images

For most short shots around the green, you don’t want the club’s leading edge to dig into the turf. The bounce angles on your wedges are designed to help you avoid digging, but if you’re hitting chips and pitches with the handle shoved forward (like many have been taught to do), you lose most — if not all — the bounce. This makes it hard to catch the ball crisply, and much easier to hit a flub or a skull.

man illustrates drill
Hitting your chips with the shaft leaning forward negates your wedge’s bounce, making it less forgiving. Try a more vertical shaft orientation instead. Angus Murray

Instead, consider a more neutral setup with the shaft either vertical (or barely forward) at address. You may fear blading the ball with a straighter shaft orientation at first, but in reality, the leading edge is still well under the equator of the ball.

If you still prefer to play chips with the handle forward, at the very least, point the clubface to the right. This will maintain the bounce and prevent the club from digging and help you hit cleaner, more consistent shots around the green.

Follow Chris O’Connell on Instagram: @planetruthgolf.

Latest In Instruction

26 minutes ago

Why focusing on hitting fairways and greens can be counterproductive

20 hours ago

Struggling with short pitch shots? Try this top teacher's simple keys

1 day ago

The 4 driving essentials you need to hit the ball farther

2 days ago

Amateurs don’t realize this mistake, Top 100 teacher says. And it bothers him

generic profile image

Golf.com

Related Articles

Instruction
Michelle Wie West swings during 2024 u.s. women's open

3 ball-striking drills every golfer needs to do after a long break

By: Zephyr Melton
Instruction
GOLF's Top 100 Teachers in America

Calling all instructors: Apply to be a GOLF Top 100 Teacher in America!

By: Zephyr Melton
Putting
The grip Scottie used to win the PGA could cure your putting yips

The grip Scottie Scheffler used to win the PGA could cure your putting yips

By: Maddi MacClurg
Putting
How to adjust to changing green speeds mid-round

How to adjust to inconsistent green speeds mid-round

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
golf instructor shows student how to properly grip the golf club

A clever (& legal!) trick to check your grip during the round

By: Zephyr Melton
Short Game
How to chip with your hybrid, a step-by-step guide

A step-by-step guide to chip with your hybrid

By: Maddi MacClurg
Approach Shots
5 keys for scoring from the rough

5 keys for scoring from the rough

By: Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher
Bunker Shots
Golfer in orange shirt hits a bunker shot on a golf course.

One simple key for hitting high, soft-landing bunker shots

By: Joe Plecker, Top 100 Teacher
Instruction
Alex Noren's drill for solid contact with wedges

PGA Championship contender's drill for solid contact with wedges

By: Maddi MacClurg
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version