The chip shot is the simplest swing in golf, yet most players make it harder than it needs to be. The best chip shot uses less body motion, a quiet trail elbow, and a clear idea of where the club bottoms out. This guide shows you how to set up, how to choose a club, and how to control distance so you get up and down more often.
What Is a Chip Shot in Golf?
A chip shot is a short, low-trajectory shot played from just off the green. The ball spends a little time in the air and then rolls toward the hole like a putt. In other words, you are trying to land the ball on the green and let it run.
Golfers use it when the ball sits in the fringe, the first cut, or short grass within a few yards of the putting surface. Because the stroke is small, it should be simple. However, many players turn it into a full-body event.
Chip vs. Pitch vs. Lob vs. Bunker Shot
These shots are cousins, but they are not the same. Each one has a different job.
- Chip shot: low flight, lots of roll, small stroke.
- Pitch shot: higher flight, less roll, longer swing. See pitch vs. chip: when to use each.
- Lob shot: very high, soft landing, used when you must clear an obstacle and stop quickly.
- Bunker shot: the club hits the sand first and the sand moves the ball.
Why Less Body Motion Makes a Better Chip Shot
There is an old saying that the dog must wag the tail, not the tail the dog. Many golfers use that idea to justify a lot of body motion, even on the most basic shot.
Sure, the body should drive the club. But does the whole dog need to move just to flick a tiny fly off the end of its tail? Of course not.
More Movement Means Less Repeatable Contact
The more you move on any shot, from putt to full swing, the less likely you are to return the club to the same spot. This is true even for the pros. They may time it better, but under pressure, timing flies out the window.
Therefore, a chip shot with a quiet body has a built-in advantage. Fewer moving parts means fewer things that can go wrong.
Watch Your Joints and Your Trail Elbow
Awkwardly positioned joints add to the inconsistency. Specifically, a joint that cannot straighten in the plane (the direction) it was designed for will not do so the same way each time.
The trail elbow is practically the final frontier. If it is forced to straighten at an awkward angle, it cannot do so correctly every time. As a result, the club arrives at impact in a slightly different place on each chip.
See It in Action: Hal Sutton’s Chip Shot
This video breaks down the anatomy of Hal Sutton’s chip shot. Watch how little his body does and how his arms and shoulders stay connected.
Two Fundamentals Behind Every Good Chip Shot
Before you pick a technique, learn two ideas. Together they explain most chipping success and failure.
1. Know Where the Club Bottoms Out
If you do not move up or down from your address posture, the club bottoms out roughly under your lead armpit (the left one for a right-handed golfer). This is the low point of your swing.
If the ball is behind that spot, the club strikes the ball first and then the turf. If the ball is forward of it, or the handle is pushed back, the club hits the ground first. Consequently, ball position and shaft lean decide whether you hit clean, thin, or fat.
2. Keep Your Setup Position at Impact
Whatever position the club is in at setup is the position you want at impact. That is why staying still matters so much. If your body sways, the low point moves with it, and a mis-hit follows.
How to Hit a Chip Shot: Step-by-Step
Use this simple sequence for a standard chip from a decent lie. Practice it until it feels automatic.
- Pick your landing spot. Choose where the ball should first touch the green, then plan for the roll to carry it to the hole.
- Narrow your stance. Place your feet close together, point your lead foot slightly open, and put most of your weight on the lead side.
- Set the ball and hands. Play the ball in the middle or slightly back of your stance with your hands just ahead of the clubhead.
- Grip lightly. Keep your grip pressure soft so your wrists and forearms stay relaxed.
- Rock the shoulders. Turn your arms, shoulders, and club together as one unit, keep your head and lower body quiet, and let the club brush through the ball.
Two Chipping Techniques: Seve Style vs. Mickelson Style
Most chipping methods fall into two camps. Each one works, but each suits a different type of golfer.
The Seve Ballesteros Slide
Seve held the club softly and opened the face. He let the wedge slide along the turf, sometimes touching the ground just before the ball. The bounce (the rounded sole of the wedge) skimmed the grass, so there was no digging.
The ball comes out soft and rolls after landing. To control distance, change the radius of your swing. Let the lead arm feel long on longer chips. For short chips, let the elbows bend and shorten the radius.
The key is to move body, arms, and club together. You must also trust that the club may touch the ground first and still produce a good shot.
The Phil Mickelson Hinge and Pinch
In this method, the club hinges in the backswing and stays hinged as the body rotates toward the target. The club drives down into the ball instead of skimming the turf. Think of it as a hinge and pinch.
It suits players who dislike hitting the ground first. However, it demands precision. If your body moves a bit, the margin for error gets very small.
Which Style Should You Choose?
- Choose the slide if you want forgiveness and soft, rolling shots.
- Choose the hinge and pinch if you have a very stable body and crisp contact.
- Test both on the practice green for ten balls each, and keep the one that gives tighter distance control.
Club Selection and Distance Control Around the Green
Club choice changes how much the ball flies and how much it rolls. A lower-lofted club sends the ball out low and running. A higher-lofted wedge lifts it more and rolls it less.
- 7-iron or 8-iron: lots of roll, great for long, flat greens.
- 9-iron or pitching wedge: a balanced mix of carry and roll.
- Sand or lob wedge: more carry, best when you have little green to work with.
To control distance, pick one club for a given stroke length. Then change the length of the stroke, not your speed. Likewise, keep your tempo smooth so the strike stays predictable.
Adjusting Your Chip Shot for Different Lies
Every lie asks for a slightly different play. Read the grass first, then decide how you want the ball to behave.
Tight Lies and Fringe
From tight turf, keep the ball back, lean the shaft slightly forward, and brush the grass. A lower-lofted club can even be used like a putter with a bit of loft.
Thick Rough and Bad Lies
When the ball sits down, you need the leading edge to get under it. Put more weight on your lead side, lay the face open, and commit to the strike. Expect the ball to come out higher and roll less, so plan for that.
Slopes and Uneven Ground
Slopes change your low point and the loft you deliver. For a full walkthrough, read our guide to chipping off uneven lies.
Bunkers and Lob Shots
When you must fly the ball high or escape sand, the chip changes into a different shot. In general, open the face, widen the stance, and let the bounce glide through the sand or grass. Also see the chip shot à la MGS for a minimalist take on the same short game.
Common Chip Shot Mistakes and Quick Fixes
- Scooping or flipping the wrists. Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead and rock the shoulders instead.
- Swaying the body. Because the low point moves when you sway, keep your head and chest still.
- Gripping too tightly. Tension kills feel, so hold the club with soft hands.
- Decelerating into the ball. Instead, finish the stroke a little longer than the backswing.
- Forcing the trail elbow. Let it fold and extend naturally, as explained earlier.
Two Easy Practice Drills
- Towel drill: tuck a small towel under both armpits and chip without letting it drop. It trains your arms and chest to move together.
- Landing-spot drill: place a towel on the green and try to land ten balls on it with the same club. Then move the towel and repeat.
From Chip Shot to Putt: Finishing the Hole
A good chip only counts if the next putt is short. Aim for a simple, stable stroke on the green, too. Keep a smooth rhythm, picture the line the ball should roll along, and keep your hands quiet.
For more ideas, browse our expert coaching tips for better golf shots. You can also check the official USGA and R&A sites for the Rules of Golf, including relief options near the green. For background on the game itself, see Golf on Wikipedia.
Chip Shot FAQ
What is the best club for a chip shot?
Most golfers do well with a 8-iron, 9-iron, or pitching wedge. Lower lofts roll more and higher lofts fly more, so choose based on how much green you have to work with.
How is a chip shot different from a pitch shot?
A chip shot is a short, low shot that rolls a lot. A pitch shot uses a longer swing, flies higher, and stops sooner.
Where should the ball be positioned for a chip shot?
Play it in the middle or slightly back in your stance. The club bottoms out near your lead armpit, so a ball behind that point gets struck cleanly.
Why do I keep hitting my chip shot fat or thin?
Usually your body is moving, so the low point of the swing shifts. Quiet your lower body, keep your weight forward, and keep the hands ahead of the clubhead.
How do I control distance on a chip shot?
Choose one club for each situation and vary the length of your stroke. Keep your tempo smooth instead of changing swing speed.
Conclusion: Keep Your Chip Shot Simple
A great chip shot comes from simplicity. Move less, keep your joints in comfortable positions, and know where your club bottoms out. In addition, choose the right club, pick a landing spot, and adjust for the lie. Whether you prefer Seve’s slide or Mickelson’s hinge and pinch, a quiet body and a repeatable stroke will help you chip closer and save more pars.
