Chunking a chip is no fun. It’s equal parts wasted stroke and bruised ego.
In my experience, there are five errors you can make to chunk one: 1) a strong grip, which invites the lead edge of the club to dig in too early; 2) titling your shoulders like you’re setting up to hit driver — that again can cause a dig behind the ball; 3) swaying on or off the ball; 4) swinging too far in-to-out; and 5) unduly closing the face on the backswing.
Fixing No. 1 is easy — take a slightly weaker grip. The next two? Set up with even shoulders and keep your nose in front of the ball from start to finish. The last two? A chunk-proofing chipping station can help.
Grab a wedge and place one of your irons behind the ball, pointing down your target line. Your goal: Allow the toe of the club to “rise” toward the sky as you swing back while keeping your swing just inside the club on the ground.
Feel like you’re going more up than around? Then retrace this path on the way back down. Copy what you learned here and you’ll catch every chip crisp every time.
Ed Oldham is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and is the director of instruction at the Ranch CC in Westminster, Colo.
