Chipping trajectory - club selection and/or ball position

[2bGood]

Just wondering how everyone handle hitting hi, low, medium height chips. Do you move ball position or do you switch clubs, or a bit of both? 

[nitram]

I'm not really worried about trajectory on a chip but focus more on the spot I want the ball to land. Seldom will a chip get above head high. I normally want to get the ball on the green ASAP and let it run to the hole. So usually it's simply changing clubs to get the correct air to green ratio.

[2bGood]

2 minutes ago, nitram said:

I'm not really worried about trajectory on a chip but focus more on the spot I want the ball to land. Seldom will a chip get above head high. I normally want to get the ball on the green ASAP and let it run to the hole. So usually it's simply changing clubs to get the correct air to green ratio.

Isn't trajectory how you achieve the "air to green ratio"? 

 

Don't you use different trajectorys when you want the ball to land 2 yards away and roll 10 yards, vs land 5 yards away and roll 5 yards? 

[Hawkeye77]

No whiz here but more likely to do it with clubs and a lot of time lie is bigger consideration. Generally use the same wedge for chipping and it’s just the softball toss kind of feel thing. But hybrid can get used and short iron as well but not that often. 

Edited January 10, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[nitram]

Not me. There are folks who do but for me, it's hitting a toe-down, stiff left wrist off my right big toe and use whatever club gives me the correct air to rollout ratio. For example, my 8-iron is 3 to 1 so on a 12 yard chip I hit a spot 3 yards away and expect it to roll 9 yards to the hole. my P is 2 to 1, etc. But the trajectory is normally from belt to shoulder high. 

 

I'll flight my pitch shots like you describe .

[b.mattay]

I use my 60 degree and change my ball position, handle height, face angle and arc length. Definitely don't like changing clubs much, it messes with my touch. 

[MPAndreassi]

I just shared a TaylorMade video in another topic here, but Jason Day goes through his technique in it and that’s what I use as well (since watching that video) and it’s been very consistent for me. 

 

The short version is minimal changes in ball position but changing how much or how little forward press you use and keeping your arms solid. The amount of press dictates the delivered loft and the flight of the chip. 
 

 

[2bGood]

52 minutes ago, b.mattay said:

I use my 60 degree and change my ball position, handle height, face angle and arc length. Definitely don't like changing clubs much, it messes with my touch. 

 I guess that is what I am getting at. One club, multiple set ups or one set up multiple clubs. 

[2bGood]

5 minutes ago, MPAndreassi said:

I just shared a TaylorMade video in another topic here, but Jason Day goes through his technique in it and that’s what I use as well (since watching that video) and it’s been very consistent for me. 

 

The short version is minimal changes in ball position but changing how much or how little forward press you use and keeping your arms solid. The amount of press dictates the delivered loft and the flight of the chip. 
 

 

 Yes, that 'my old' technique. I have moved to keep forward press the same, but have not settled on moving the ball position to change how far it will fly, or switch clubs. Right now I am mixing the two. 

[getitdaily]

Both. I very rarely chip with anything other than my 54 or 60 because those are the only clubs I spend practice time with. 

 

Ball forward - higher trajectory, stops faster

Ball back - lower trajectory, more run out

 

After I've assessed what a shot will do once it hits the green, I look for the right landing spot for the ball to rollout properly. Then i execute the shot for that landing spot. 

 

I used to play 75% of chips with the ball back. Now i play 75% of them with the ball forward. 

[golfsticks]

One club, multiple setups and techniques. 

[bladehunter]

10 hours ago, nitram said:

Not me. There are folks who do but for me, it's hitting a toe-down, stiff left wrist off my right big toe and use whatever club gives me the correct air to rollout ratio. For example, my 8-iron is 3 to 1 so on a 12 yard chip I hit a spot 3 yards away and expect it to roll 9 yards to the hole. my P is 2 to 1, etc. But the trajectory is normally from belt to shoulder high. 

 

I'll flight my pitch shots like you describe .

I use this same method.  Alwasy club change.  If I use a sand or gap wedge it’s to fly it mostly to the hole and have it hop and stop dead.  Never a lob unless it’s severely downhill .    I prefer 9 iron and PW for most shots.  And trajectory is always low.  You cannot control something hitting it over shoulder high like you can keeping it down. 
 

and I’m a guy who can and will hit the super lob if the lie and shot calls for it.  But I don’t prefer the lofted club until it’s really called for.  I leave way too many short doing that. If I hit a lob wedge it’s going to stop where it lands.  

Edited January 10, 2021 by bladehunter

[mikpga]

For me, a chip is a LOW and running shot.  Same motion/set-ups, change loft to obtain more or less backspin to control how much the ball rolls.

[Zitlow]

A handy shot especially for longish uphill chips is to use a "honda grip". Set up with your left thumb on the back of the grip at 9 o'clock. Grip down and play the ball back in your stance. The "honda grip" prevents the shaft from releasing so the shaft doesn't pass your hands. The ball comes out low and runs like a scared rabbit. 

 

The "honda grip" also works great if you have tree trouble and have to hit a punch shot. 

 

[Mcgeeno]

Cool topic!

 

I use different clubs all over the green to control trajectory and spin.

 

From 7 iron to lobber 

[anth]

I try to keep the set up as consistent as possible and change the club if I want a higher shot and/or less runout.

 

Actually I try to chip with the same action and same club as much as possible, unless I absolutely have to change trajectory 

[2bGood]

14 hours ago, Mcgeeno said:

Cool topic!

 

I use different clubs all over the green to control trajectory and spin.

 

From 7 iron to lobber 

I can't say I get beyond gap wedge as I fin it runs pretty low. But I use a Mickelson too set up with a fair amount of forward press. 

[Soloman1]

Since I've perfected my new shank-chip, I never get it more than 6" above the ground, so the club doesn't matter any more. Less decisions = easier game.

[sprcoop]

I just use a 47 degree pitching wedge for everything up to 20 yard carry with the "use the bounce" Monte technique from his free video on his website.   Never could get confident with the 56.

 

Stock shot is off the lead big toe with feet right together, toe down, slightly open, pick a spot and hit to it.  If I need a little more elevation I just move the ball to lead pinky toe.  I've had more one putts in the last 3 months that I started this than in the 3 years before that.

[Mcgeeno]

44 minutes ago, 2bGood said:

I can't say I get beyond gap wedge as I fin it runs pretty low. But I use a Mickelson too set up with a fair amount of forward press. 

 

Gotcha.

 

I'm more of a Furyk putting stroke style chipper. I battled some issues for a few years with chipping so I tried to dummy proof it as best as I could. 

 

Honestly I'll putt if at all possible first choice.

[jholz]

I use a combination of both. There are certain clubs that are always going to dictate a certain type of shot, and therefore setup - like the 9-iron chip from the fringe or the lob wedge flop shot. 

 

For those clubs in the middle - like gap and sand wedge - I like to have options. With those clubs I will set up with the ball off the lead or trail foot to control trajectory, as well as moderating my force through contact to adjust spin and potential rollout.

 

I'll also add that I practice chipping religiously. If you don't, you might want to simplify things. 

Edited January 11, 2021 by jholz

[scooterhd2]

generally changing the height by opening the face. mostly using the same club, and prefer the same ball position but adjust as needed for different lies. 

[TLUBulldogGolf]

Club selection and face angle, I don't mess with ball position much if it's just a standard chip. Try to keep it middle or slightly forward and use the bounce. 

[juststeve]

For me its a combination of club selection, opening or closing the face at address and release pattern. 

 

Steve

[Divot License]

I have to admit the how part of changing trajectory is not something I give much thought to. I suppose 25 years of playing some things have just become second nature. 

 

When I actually picked up a club and gave it some thought to try and participate in this discussion I realised that I do it through a mix of ball position and technique. I generally use the same club around the greens (58 Wedge) but move the ball and also my hand position at address. So I will add or remove shaft lean and loft to the wedge. I will also alter my technique slightly (not a conscious action) to produce different results. I noticed that when I want to hit a lower more driven shot in I will keep my hands ahead of the ball a little more through impact and after, while if I want to float the ball, I will release the club earlier, drop the bounce into the ground and almost drop kick the ball forward. 

 

Non of this is a conscious move and I'm not sure if it's more than just feels and there is not discernible difference but it appears the method I've developed. 

[freowho]

15 hours ago, Jedaigeki said:

I have to admit the how part of changing trajectory is not something I give much thought to. I suppose 25 years of playing some things have just become second nature. 

 

When I actually picked up a club and gave it some thought to try and participate in this discussion I realised that I do it through a mix of ball position and technique. I generally use the same club around the greens (58 Wedge) but move the ball and also my hand position at address. So I will add or remove shaft lean and loft to the wedge. I will also alter my technique slightly (not a conscious action) to produce different results. I noticed that when I want to hit a lower more driven shot in I will keep my hands ahead of the ball a little more through impact and after, while if I want to float the ball, I will release the club earlier, drop the bounce into the ground and almost drop kick the ball forward. 

 

Non of this is a conscious move and I'm not sure if it's more than just feels and there is not discernible difference but it appears the method I've developed. 

Now that you've given it some thought you'll be no good!!! 

It's like a publisher approaching a good player for a book deal and all of a sudden they have to explain something they never had to think about.

[tjcarsillo]

I’ll usually use the same club and alter ball position or technique. However there are times I will go down to a 52 to get one running sooner.

[naval2006]

I only use two clubs for all my shots 54 and 58.  The rest is ball position and weight more towards center or towards leading foot. I could never manage the two feet in the air twelve feet rolling 8 iron a la Ray Floyd.  

[EDT501]

Last summer I finally put in the practice time to get comfortable hitting chips with lower lofted clubs (50* PW, 41* 8i, 33* 6i) and they are shots I find immensely useful. More predictable out of light rough and I am getting very consistent results from the fringe. I use my LW for pretty much everything else around the green as it is what I've practiced the most with and I feel like I have the most control over. Sometimes the lie or conditions will send me to use something else, but on the course I stick to what I feel comfortable with.

[MC21]

I pretty much exclusively use my 60 degree around the greens. I adjust the ball position for trajectory and preset my wrist and shaft angle. From there I just turn back and through the ball. If I need to add speed for a longer shot I just release the club and wrist angle through the ball. 

 

For me, this is the easiest way to get consistent trajectory and spin. If I want to add spin I open the face and open my stance a bit to cut across it. 

 

Just find a system that works for you and experiment hitting different shots with that system.