All too often amateurs have one basic chipping stroke, and they use it no matter the lie. I’m all for keeping it simple on standard chips, but you have to adapt to different lies. When you try to force a technique, you get in trouble. Let’s look at two common chipping scenarios: the perched lie and the buried lie. When the ball is sitting on top of the grass, it’s easy to slide the clubhead under it and flub the shot. That happens because when you shift forward on the downswing, it drives the clubhead downward. You catch the ball on the top of the clubface. — with Peter Morrice
To handle the perched lie, set up in a narrow stance, legs tall, and play the ball back. Make a sweeping motion with the clubhead, like a long putt, turning your upper body back and through while keeping your wrists firm (right). Your lower body should stay quiet on the downswing—remember, driving your knees forward gives you too much dig.
When the ball is buried, you need that digging action to spring the ball from the thick grass. Take a little wider stance, and play the ball in the middle. On the backswing, hinge your wrists abruptly to set up a steeper angle into the ball (left). That will allow you to catch it as cleanly as you can—not an issue with the perched lie. Coming down, shift your knees forward, which increases the downward angle on the strike. Extend your arms down and through, and don’t worry about making much of a follow-through.
Two very different lies, two very different techniques. You’ll find them easy to use.
GET YOUR SHORT GAME IN SHAPE
I just added my fourth video series to the Golf Digest Schools program, and it’s all about shots around the green. If you want help with your chipping, pitching, bunker play or putting, you’ll get it all in these lessons. I’ll show you the short-game keys I teach my tour players—and some I’ve picked up from being around them. Learn more about my new series and all the great content in the Golf Digest Schools video library at golfdigest.com/allaccess.
BUTCH HARMON is based at Rio Secco Golf Club.