Having missed a green, often the last thing a golfer wants to see is a ball that’s come to rest on short grass. If this sounds like you don’t worry, you’re not alone. Check out our video that will change the way you approach chipping from tight lies…
This chipping tips video was filmed at Lumine Golf Club, host venue of the 2019 European Tour Qualifying School. For more information, visit their website.
Chipping From Tight Lies: The Coin Drill
The beauty of this drill is in its simplicity. First, find a tight area of grass and place two coins and a ball on the ground a few inches apart in a line pointing away from you.
From here, address the first coin with the goal of just clipping it off the top of the grass. By hitting at something other than a ball, people often feel more comfortable.
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This is a great drill for teaching a player the low point of a chip shot. Try alternating between this tight lie chipping drill and a normal chip shot. Start by doing a couple with the drill and then a couple without. This helps to repeat the feeling of what you’re trying to do and then you can replicate this on a real shot.
Chipping From Tight Lies: The Main Points
Like any golf shot it’s important to not be fearful and have confidence over the ball. The aim when hitting off of tight lies it that you’re trying to sweep the ball off the turf, minimal turf interaction. This can be done by having the ball position slightly back in your stance, with weight favouring your front foot. You want to focus on brushing the turf rather than a steep dig into the ball or scooping the ball up into the air.
Keep it simple, don’t allow your body to become too tense. Too much wrist action can cause you to hit the ground too early.
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You’re not limited to chipping with a lob wedge. Players can chip with 7, 8, 9 irons, meaning a shorter back swing is involved.
Trust your process and don’t be fearful. Chipping from a tight lie may seem daunting but by practicing the correct, effective technique for the job, you should have nothing to worry about. The more you practice and execute this shot well, the more you will improve.
Focus on the strike to start with and worry about the spin, launch, distance and accuracy after. Once you’ve mastered the desired strike you can start to work on performance based practice so try not to get caught up on it all being perfect at once.
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to try chipping around the green with a variety of different clubs. Hitting off a tight lie often requires the perfect strike with a lofted wedge and so it’s important to get lots of reps in to understand what this feels like.
Give the coin drill a go as a starting point and see how you get on.
