A chip is a low shot played from just off the green that flies a short distance and then rolls most of the way to the hole. To chip well, take a narrow stance, put most of your weight on your lead foot, play the ball back of center with your hands slightly ahead, and make a putting-like stroke by rocking your shoulders with firm wrists. Pick a landing spot a few feet onto the green and choose a club whose loft will carry the ball there and roll it to the hole. Chipping is one of the simplest ways to save strokes, because a good chip turns a possible bogey into a tap-in par.
When to chip
Chip when the ball is close to the green, there is nothing significant to carry, and you have green between you and the hole for the ball to roll on. A useful principle is to get the ball rolling as soon as possible, because rolling is more predictable than flying. If you need to carry a bunker, deep rough or a steep slope, or if the hole is very close to the edge of the green, a higher pitch shot may be the better choice. When the grass is short and smooth, putting from off the green can be even safer.
Chipping technique
| Element | Key point |
|---|---|
| Club | 7-iron to lob wedge, depending on how much roll you need |
| Stance | Narrow and slightly open |
| Ball position | Back of center |
| Weight | About 60 to 70 percent on the lead side |
| Hands | Slightly ahead of the ball |
| Stroke | Rock the shoulders like a putt, wrists firm |
| Target | A landing spot a few feet onto the green |
How to chip step by step
- Look at the shot and decide where the ball should land and how far it should roll.
- Choose the club that will produce that ratio of carry to roll.
- Stand close to the ball with a narrow, slightly open stance.
- Place the ball back of center and lean the shaft slightly toward the target.
- Set your weight mostly on your lead foot and keep it there.
- Grip down on the club for more control.
- Rock your shoulders back and through like a putting stroke, keeping wrists quiet.
- Strike the ball first, letting the club brush the turf after impact.
- Hold a short finish with the club pointing toward the target.
Choosing a club for chipping
Different clubs produce different amounts of carry and roll. A less lofted club, such as a 7-iron or 8-iron, flies low and rolls a long way. A more lofted club, such as a sand wedge, flies higher and stops sooner. Many golfers use a simple rule of thumb for carry-to-roll ratios on a flat green, though actual results vary with green speed, slope and how the ball is struck.
| Club | Approximate carry to roll |
|---|---|
| Sand wedge | About 1 to 1 |
| Pitching wedge | About 1 to 2 |
| 9-iron | About 1 to 3 |
| 8-iron | About 1 to 4 |
| 7-iron | About 1 to 5 |
Test these ratios on your practice green, since green speed and your own technique will change them. Once you know how your clubs react, club selection around the green becomes much simpler.
One club or many?
There are two common approaches to chipping. Some golfers use one favorite club, often a pitching or sand wedge, and change the ball position and stroke length to vary the shot. Others use several clubs with the same basic stroke, letting each club’s loft change the carry and roll. The one-club method builds deep familiarity with a single club, while the multi-club method keeps the stroke simple and consistent. Both work, so choose the approach that feels most natural and practice it regularly.
The bump and run
The bump and run is a type of chip that uses a low-lofted club, often a 7-iron or 8-iron, to land the ball just onto the green and let it roll most of the way to the hole. It is especially useful on firm, fast courses and links-style layouts where the ground around the greens is short and predictable. Because the ball spends so little time in the air, the shot is less affected by wind and less sensitive to perfect contact than a high pitch. Set up as you would for a normal chip, grip down on the club, and use a smooth, putting-style stroke. Practice judging how far the ball rolls with each club so you can choose the right one confidently on the course.
Chipping from different lies
From a tight lie on firm turf, keep the ball back and make clean, ball-first contact, using a club with less bounce if possible. From light rough, the ball may come out with less spin and roll more, so land it a little shorter. From thicker rough, a more lofted club and a slightly firmer stroke help the ball escape. On an uphill lie, the ball pops up and stops faster, so take a less lofted club or make a firmer stroke. On a downhill lie, the ball comes out lower and runs more, so use more loft and land it softly.
Reading the green for chips
Chips are affected by slope and speed just like putts, especially once the ball starts rolling. Look at the break between your landing spot and the hole, and allow for it when choosing your line. On fast, downhill greens, land the ball closer to you and let it trickle out. On slow or uphill greens, land it farther on and expect less roll. Treating the rolling part of a chip like a putt helps you pick a better landing spot and line.
Chipping drills
- Landing spot drill: Place a towel on the green and try to land chips on it, noticing how far each club rolls.
- Club ladder: Chip to the same hole with a 7-iron, 9-iron and sand wedge to learn their different reactions.
- Up-and-down game: Drop balls around the green and try to get each in the hole in two strokes.
- Coin drill: Place a coin just in front of the ball and try to brush it after contact to encourage a downward strike.
- Lead-hand drill: Chip with only your lead hand to feel a firm wrist through impact.
Building confidence around the green
Many golfers feel tense on short shots because the swing is small and the target is close. A simple routine helps: pick your landing spot, make one or two practice strokes while looking at it, then step in and chip without long delays. Focus on solid contact rather than holing the shot. Over time, reliable technique and regular practice turn chipping into a strength that takes pressure off the rest of your game.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Flicking the wrists. This causes skulled and chunked chips.
- Weight on the back foot. Keep most weight forward.
- Trying to lift the ball. Let the club’s loft do the work.
- Decelerating. Make a smooth, committed stroke.
- Always using a lob wedge. Lower shots are often easier and safer.
- Ignoring the landing spot. Choose where to land, not just where to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Which club is best for chipping?
The best club is the one that lands the ball on the green and rolls it to the hole, which varies by situation.
Why do I skull my chips?
Skulled chips often come from flicking the wrists or standing up through impact.
Should I chip or putt from the fringe?
If the grass is short and smooth, putting is often safer; chip when longer grass would slow the ball unpredictably.
