Natural Golf Chipping

Align the ball with inside left heel if entire ball is free from grass. If ball is under grass top, move ball back slightly to avoid hitting fat.

Open stance; same as with pitches, about 20 degrees from the target line.

Use pendulum swing; just pick up the club, pivot wrists gently and hit right at nip. Point where ball contacts the grass.

Grip up. Right thumb on steel shaft; edge of hand on bottom of leather grip for all chips.

Focus eyes on back of ball where the club should hit.

Target "nip" of ball and ground. Try to hit right at nip. Practice by hitting chips off putting green.

Generally, fly ball about halfway to hole with lob wedge. Less if greens are very fast.

"Light the match" on the swing; with clubhead accelerating through the ball; follow through no more than backswing.

For lob wedge with little green, lay club face open; make sure club lies flat to allow as much loft as possible.

For soft landing lob wedge pitches and chips, align right thumb with ball for high soft shots. You will lose yardage, so remember to increase your swing.

Click here for a pdf file that you can print and take with you when you practice.