PITCHING LONG/SHORT
STUBBING CHIP SHOTS
FAST FIX ■ When most golfers have a pitch shot of, say, 20 to 40 metres, they struggle with distance control – dumping it short or launching it over the green. There’s usually one major fault here: a long backswing that forces you to slow down through the strike to try to manufacture the right distance. With that kind of guesswork, you’re looking at unpredictable contact, and if you do catch it flush, unpredictable speed. When you play, focus on making a shorter backswing with minimal wrist hinge ( below ), then turning your body to the finish. Don’t rely on your hands and arms to create the shot at impact; set the backswing length with your arm motion, and then rotate your chest to face the target. You also can think about pushing through with your trail side, whichever clicks for you. Just think, Arms back, body through for better distance control.
FAST FIX ■ Chipping looks so easy when you see the pros do it on TV. That’s because they do two important things really well that most golfers don’t. First, they aim the clubface, just like on a putt. Second, they make a slightly downward strike for consistent impact and spin. Amateurs tend to play the ball too far forward, and I rarely see them aiming the face. Even if they do get it solid, the ball doesn’t go where they want. These are easy adjustments you can make on the course. It’s all about being organised in your setup. Start by standing with your trail foot so the instep is in line with the ball ( below ). Next, aim the clubface where you want the ball to start, considering any slope on the green. Then, push your weight and your hands a bit towards the target. Now you’re ready to pinch the ball crisply off the grass and get it rolling on line.
FOREVER FIX
FOREVER FIX ■ Setting up correctly should be fairly easy, but there is something I see in poor chippers that takes a little work to overcome. If you stub a lot of chips, catching the ground before the ball, you’re probably freezing your body and flipping your trail hand at impact. Instead, let your body respond naturally to the swinging motion. That will keep the swing’s low point forward for ball- then-turf contact. A good feel is the trail knee kicking in softly on the downswing to start the forward motion. Here's my go-to drill for chipping: Take a normal setup – ball back, clubface at your target – then pull back your trail foot and set it up on its toes ( above ). Feel how this pushes weight to your front foot and sets your whole body ahead of the ball. Hit some chips from this stance. It will keep your body centre in the ideal impact position, so you can focus on just making a little turn through the ball.
■ When you practice, spend time drilling that body rotation through the ball. Most golfers are so accustomed to a handsy swing on pitch shots that it takes some retooling to get the body moving in sync with the club ( above ). Hand action tends to produce a steeper impact; body turn shallows the path into the ball – so practice brushing the grass with the club, not digging and taking divots. You’ll have to rotate your body to do that. As your contact improves, distance control becomes a matter of trajectory. Experiment with different ball positions to learn shots for various hole locations. Play the ball back in your stance and lean the shaft forward to produce a lower shot that runs. Move the ball forward and set the shaft more vertical at address for a higher shot that lands softly. Develop those two pitching techniques, and you’ll be able to get to any pin out there.
50 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 51
NOVEMBER 2023
NOVEMBER 2023
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