Chip Shot Set-up

Want to hit solid chip shots. Make sure that you set up properly.

Step-by-step guide:

Choose a club:

• Select a club based on what you want the ball to do. If you want more roll, you want less loft. Want it to check up and roll less, select more loft.
  Most golfers should use something in between a 7 iron- Gap Wedge for a stock chip shot. If you use more loft like a SW or a Lob Wedges I generally
  find that you have to lean the shaft too far forward, or you need to utilize more wrist set which essentially means that you are hitting a pitch shot.
  This does not mean that you cannot use a SW for this shot, but at some point we get into a grey area in terms of the terminology of what kind of
  shot we are hitting.

Grip the Club:

• Two options here:
• Use your standard golf grip, but consider gripping down on the club slightly for better control.
• Some better players will use their putting grip instead of their full swing grip on this shot. The thinking behind this is that the putting grip will take some of the wrists out of the shot, and a chip shot motion is similar to the putting stroke once you are set up properly.
• In either case, you want to make sure that the shaft of the club is leaned towards the target. This will place your hands ahead of the ball.

Stance:

• Position your feet close together, usually just a few inches apart. This provides stability and control.
• Also turn your feet slightly towards the target(Approximately 20 degrees).
  This would be considered an open stance. This will create a position in which your body is slightly facing towards the target.

Weight Distribution:

• Shift your weight pretty heavily onto your front foot (left foot for right-handed players and vice versa). This helps create a descending blow
  and a crisp contact with the ball. Weight distribution should be approximately 80% on your front foot vs. 20% on your back foot.

Ball Position:

• Place the golf ball back in your stance, closer to your back foot (right foot for right-handed players, left foot for left-handed players). This position
  encourages a descending strike.

Open Stance and Clubface:

• Align your body slightly left of the target (for right-handed players; adjust for left-handed players). Open the clubface slightly to add loft to the shot.
  Make sure that you open the face prior to applying your grip to the club.

Visualize the Shot:

• Take a moment to visualize the trajectory and landing spot for your chip shot. This helps you focus on executing the shot with intention.

Remember, be consistent with your set up for all shots. Be precise and make sure that everything is lined up properly. Adjustments may be needed based on your personal
preferences and the specific conditions of the shot you’re facing.