My chipper is now riding the bench

[hybrid25]

Would it fair to say that an individual the seeks out a chipper to make it easier around the green is probably not a low handicap golfer? I am not trying to be devisive, just making an honest statement. Most low hc golfers do not carry chippers because they have a full bag of clubs that they can make greenside shots easily. Most high hc golfers consider them due to the difficulty they have with touch around the green. I would imagine that those golfers who have difficulty, may be better served with hybrid/irons similar to the clubs shown in the attached link, where a 7iron is very similar to a chipper in construction:

 

https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/irons-/launcher-hb-turbo-irons/MLHBTIS.html

[SugarLandGolfer]

1 hour ago, hybrid25 said:

Would it fair to say that an individual the seeks out a chipper to make it easier around the green is probably not a low handicap golfer? I am not trying to be devisive, just making an honest statement. Most low hc golfers do not carry chippers because they have a full bag of clubs that they can make greenside shots easily. Most high hc golfers consider them due to the difficulty they have with touch around the green. I would imagine that those golfers who have difficulty, may be better served with hybrid/irons similar to the clubs shown in the attached link, where a 7iron is very similar to a chipper in construction:

 

https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/irons-/launcher-hb-turbo-irons/MLHBTIS.html

if you watch Mark Crossfield’s review of the turbos, he says most handicaps 5 and up probably would get some level of benefit from them. While that may not be their target market, and realistically those lower handicaps won’t even look at them, a pretty strong argument can be made that these types of clubs (hybrid irons, chippers, wide sole wedges and fewer wedges) would likely help many average club golfers get lower scores.

 

however as has been noted many times on this site, it’s not always about getting better scores. Golfers play this game and choose this game for various reasons. Performance is only one of those decision points.

 

i really want to get a full set of clubs that are the easiest possible clubs to hit (hybrid irons, wide sole wedges and chippers) and see if playing them for a dozen rounds or so actually has a material impact on my handicap.

Edited January 24, 2021 by SugarLandGolfer

[hybrid25]

11 minutes ago, SugarLandGolfer said:

if you watch Mark Crossfield’s review of the turbos, he says most handicaps 5 and up probably would get some level of benefit from them. While that may not be their target market, and realistically those lower handicaps won’t even look at them, a pretty strong argument can be made that these types of clubs (hybrid irons, chippers, wide sole wedges and fewer wedges) would likely help many average club golfers get lower scores.

 

however as has been noted many times on this site, it’s not always about getting better scores. Golfers play this game and choose this game for various reasons. Performance is only one of those decision points.

 

i really want to get a full set of clubs that are the easiest possible clubs to hit (hybrid irons, wide sole wedges and chippers) and see if playing them for a dozen rounds or so actually has a material impact on my handicap.

I am a believer that many golfers are not playing a set of clubs that promote the best scoring chances for them, as many an ego would never allow hybrids enter their bags. Too many have an unrealistic desire to play like Tiger or Jack. I am they type, as my bag indicates, that whatever is easiest to get the job done with will be in my bag, period.

[Feelingofgreatness]

1 hour ago, hybrid25 said:

Would it fair to say that an individual the seeks out a chipper to make it easier around the green is probably not a low handicap golfer? I am not trying to be devisive, just making an honest statement. Most low hc golfers do not carry chippers because they have a full bag of clubs that they can make greenside shots easily. Most high hc golfers consider them due to the difficulty they have with touch around the green. I would imagine that those golfers who have difficulty, may be better served with hybrid/irons similar to the clubs shown in the attached link, where a 7iron is very similar to a chipper in construction:

 

https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/irons-/launcher-hb-turbo-irons/MLHBTIS.html

I'm a 7 HC and was down to 6 in 2020. I use player irons, a vokey wedge and a, chipper! 

Most people in my opinion are missing out because of ego. It's one of my favorite clubs and when I'm just off the green I get up and down 80% of the time with it... Most are tap ins. 

I've converted lots of people after they've played with me, 6 that I know of last season. 

Edited January 24, 2021 by Feelingofgreatness

[JungleJimbo]

3 hours ago, Feelingofgreatness said:

tempted to try a 49* niblick if I can find one

@Feelingofgreatness: the SmartSole4 series = has a 50* “G” wedge. 
https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/wedges-/smart-sole-4-wedge/MSMARTSOLE4.html

 

i think previous generations of SmartSole only had the 42* and 58*?

Edited January 24, 2021 by JungleJimbo

[SugarLandGolfer]

18 minutes ago, JungleJimbo said:

@Feelingofgreatness: the SmartSole4 series = has a 50* “G” wedge. 
https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/wedges-/smart-sole-4-wedge/MSMARTSOLE4.html

 

i think previous generations of SmartSole only had the 42* and 58*?

Correct, 4th generation added the gap wedge. Currently you can’t buy the gap wedge through the Cleveland site, so I’m curious if they are planning on a 5th generation this spring/summer. It only came out beginning of 2020, but with so many new and returning golfers since COVID, they may be trying to capitalize on golfers that need help.

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, hybrid25 said:

Would it fair to say that an individual the seeks out a chipper to make it easier around the green is probably not a low handicap golfer? I am not trying to be devisive, just making an honest statement. Most low hc golfers do not carry chippers because they have a full bag of clubs that they can make greenside shots easily. Most high hc golfers consider them due to the difficulty they have with touch around the green. I would imagine that those golfers who have difficulty, may be better served with hybrid/irons similar to the clubs shown in the attached link, where a 7iron is very similar to a chipper in construction:

 

https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/irons-/launcher-hb-turbo-irons/MLHBTIS.html

For me I dropped the chipper as my handicap was dropping and was improving as a player. I felt like the chipper was a crutch and I couldn’t chip without it, and noticed the best players I played with and saw on the course didn’t use it. My chipper was a 2-way, so when I did a Google search asking “do good players use chippers” I found out the 2-ways are illegal in tournaments. Once I found that out, I made the decision to drop it and learn how to chip without it, which is extremely difficult coming from using a chipper.

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, SugarLandGolfer said:

if you watch Mark Crossfield’s review of the turbos, he says most handicaps 5 and up probably would get some level of benefit from them. While that may not be their target market, and realistically those lower handicaps won’t even look at them, a pretty strong argument can be made that these types of clubs (hybrid irons, chippers, wide sole wedges and fewer wedges) would likely help many average club golfers get lower scores.

 

however as has been noted many times on this site, it’s not always about getting better scores. Golfers play this game and choose this game for various reasons. Performance is only one of those decision points.

 

i really want to get a full set of clubs that are the easiest possible clubs to hit (hybrid irons, wide sole wedges and chippers) and see if playing them for a dozen rounds or so actually has a material impact on my handicap.

There’s no question a chipper could help most new golfers and high handicappers lower their scores, but to me at the end of the day they are a shortcut.

I was a high level Basketball and Football player, and I brought the same mentality into golf, which is “what do I need to do to become the best player I can possibly be”, and “what do the best players in the sport do”...then I work my butt off to make that happen and emulate it.
 

When you look at it from that perspective, you have no choice but to drop the chipper and not use it as a crutch.

[Feelingofgreatness]

51 minutes ago, JungleJimbo said:

@Feelingofgreatness: the SmartSole4 series = has a 50* “G” wedge. 
https://www.clevelandgolf.com/en/wedges-/smart-sole-4-wedge/MSMARTSOLE4.html

 

i think previous generations of SmartSole only had the 42* and 58*?

Yes, I use the SS4 wedge in the 58* (S)

My brother has the 50*, I didn't get the 50 simply because I have a 50* GW in my set but I would be interested in a 49* niblick for chipping and see how it compares to my 42* C wedge.

[Feelingofgreatness]

32 minutes ago, SugarLandGolfer said:

Correct, 4th generation added the gap wedge. Currently you can’t buy the gap wedge through the Cleveland site, so I’m curious if they are planning on a 5th generation this spring/summer. It only came out beginning of 2020, but with so many new and returning golfers since COVID, they may be trying to capitalize on golfers that need help.

Would love to see a 54* SS and a re-make of the 49* niblick

[Feelingofgreatness]

14 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

There’s no question a chipper could help most new golfers and high handicappers lower their scores, but to me at the end of the day they are a shortcut.

I was a high level Basketball and Football player, and I brought the same mentality into golf, which is “what do I need to do to become the best player I can possibly be”, and “what do the best players in the sport do”...then I work my butt off to make that happen and emulate it.
 

When you look at it from that perspective, you have no choice but to drop the chipper and not use it as a crutch.

I don't understand this mentality... it makes no sense to me.

Do you also use a 2 iron instead of a hybrid and baby blade irons because a few of the best pros do?

The chipper isn't a crutch, it's another club in the bad, the same way a FW metal is, a hybrid, a Driver is. Different clubs for different tasks.

I can chip the Pelz method with a PW or a 9i but I prefer the chipper because it has a more upright lie angle and I can use the same stroke as my putter which equals greater consistency.

[Myherobobhope]

8 minutes ago, Feelingofgreatness said:

I don't understand this mentality... it makes no sense to me.

Do you also use a 2 iron instead of a hybrid and baby blade irons because a few of the best pros do?

The chipper isn't a crutch, it's another club in the bad, the same way a FW metal is, a hybrid, a Driver is. Different clubs for different tasks.

I can chip the Pelz method with a PW or a 9i but I prefer the chipper because it has a more upright lie angle and I can use the same stroke as my putter which equals greater consistency.

I'm half convinced to make room for one in my bag... is this mostly a bump and run club? I've never really seriously investigated it. 

 

I'm trying to do a better job of tracking my stats this season, so if long chips (with plenty of green) are averaging more than 2 strokes, I might have to pick one up and try it...

 

I don't THINK I have a ton of shots that would use a chipper, but maybe I do.

[Feelingofgreatness]

9 minutes ago, Myherobobhope said:

I'm half convinced to make room for one in my bag... is this mostly a bump and run club? I've never really seriously investigated it. 

 

I'm trying to do a better job of tracking my stats this season, so if long chips (with plenty of green) are averaging more than 2 strokes, I might have to pick one up and try it...

 

I don't THINK I have a ton of shots that would use a chipper, but maybe I do.

I probably use it an average of 4-5 times a round, more than I use my FW metal or hybrid or my 58* wedge. Depending on how your bag is setup, you may not have room for it. I only use 1 FW metal so I have room, you can see my bag setup further up in the thread. I average about 8-9 greens per round so I have a lot of situations were I just miss the green so I guess I use it a lot.

[BallerNate]

51 minutes ago, Feelingofgreatness said:

I don't understand this mentality... it makes no sense to me.

Do you also use a 2 iron instead of a hybrid and baby blade irons because a few of the best pros do?

The chipper isn't a crutch, it's another club in the bad, the same way a FW metal is, a hybrid, a Driver is. Different clubs for different tasks.

I can chip the Pelz method with a PW or a 9i but I prefer the chipper because it has a more upright lie angle and I can use the same stroke as my putter which equals greater consistency.

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with using a chipper, I used to use one as well. I’m just saying that’s the mentality I’ve used over the years in sports I’m proficient in, and the decision-making that went into dropping the chipper.

 

But no, I realize I can’t use X-Stiff shafts just because Pros use them, and there are lots of things they can do that I can’t. But that won’t stop me from striving to be a scratch golfer and be the best that I can be in all facets of the game, and I feel that relying on a chipper stunted my wedge/short game.

[hybrid25]

One of a few reasons golfers don't keep a chipper in their bag is because it would bump another club out of the bag, and they can accomplish everything that a chipper can without a chipper taking up space. These type of golfers are more accomplished, generally, and can use a wedge in their bag to get the job done with better results.

[JungleJimbo]

55 minutes ago, Myherobobhope said:

I'm half convinced to make room for one in my bag... is this mostly a bump and run club? I've never really seriously investigated it. 

 

I'm trying to do a better job of tracking my stats this season, so if long chips (with plenty of green) are averaging more than 2 strokes, I might have to pick one up and try it...

 

I don't THINK I have a ton of shots that would use a chipper, but maybe I do.

I use my 45* Prodyn chipper for shots up to 100yards , with a 3/4qtr swing. (My 45*= pictured in screenshot here: https://imgur.com/a/bitsjc3

 

ie the older steel-coloured version in pic,

not the newer black wider-sole version... this older version has a blunted leading-edge, and a beveled  “V”-sole akin to a Raylor )

 

 

Edited January 25, 2021 by JungleJimbo

[b.mattay]

6 hours ago, Feelingofgreatness said:

How do you keep a full swing only 20 ft high? My chipper is 42*

I don't know, I played a full round joking around with just a chipper and seemed to be good for 200-230 yard bullets on a full swing. No idea what the loft was. 

Edited January 25, 2021 by b.mattay

[BallerNate]

30 minutes ago, hybrid25 said:

One of a few reasons golfers don't keep a chipper in their bag is because it would bump another club out of the bag, and they can accomplish everything that a chipper can without a chipper taking up space. These type of golfers are more accomplished, generally, and can use a wedge in their bag to get the job done with better results.

Correct, that was part of why I dropped my chipper as well. I was carrying 16 clubs and had to figure out how to get down to 14. And you’re right in your earlier club that it is usually used as a Bump & Run club and figured out how to make the same shots with an 8-iron. Now down to 14 clubs without a chipper and a 56 degree wedge.

[hybrid25]

Check this chipper out, and can be a number of various lofts. Read the performance section:

 

https://www.thomasgolf.com/Chippers-Right/Traditional-Shape

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, Myherobobhope said:

I'm half convinced to make room for one in my bag... is this mostly a bump and run club? I've never really seriously investigated it. 

 

I'm trying to do a better job of tracking my stats this season, so if long chips (with plenty of green) are averaging more than 2 strokes, I might have to pick one up and try it...

 

I don't THINK I have a ton of shots that would use a chipper, but maybe I do.

My experience with the chipper was that it was essentially for Bump & Runs, yeah. Same loft as my 8-iron, but set up like a putter, so you use a putter stroke and can get one nice jump off the club and roll it softly on the green.

The problem for me was that I used it for everything off the green within 20 yds and relied on it so much that there were times I’d try and stretch it out to 40-50 yds, which is obviously not what it’s meant for.

[Myherobobhope]

17 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

My experience with the chipper was that it was essentially for Bump & Runs, yeah. Same loft as my 8-iron, but set up like a putter, so you use a putter stroke and can get one nice jump off the club and roll it softly on the green.

The problem for me was that I used it for everything off the green within 20 yds and relied on it so much that there were times I’d try and stretch it out to 40-50 yds, which is obviously not what it’s meant for.

I could easily make room for it, and it would annoy the guys I play golf with... the question becomes is it actually useful for me? 
 

i don’t play a ton of bump and runs at my home course, so I’m not sure it would get a ton of use... my touch with wedges is also pretty good.

 

im going to keep it in the back of my mind and see if it would be useable... seems like a fun experiment. 

[SugarLandGolfer]

27 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

My experience with the chipper was that it was essentially for Bump & Runs, yeah. Same loft as my 8-iron, but set up like a putter, so you use a putter stroke and can get one nice jump off the club and roll it softly on the green.

The problem for me was that I used it for everything off the green within 20 yds and relied on it so much that there were times I’d try and stretch it out to 40-50 yds, which is obviously not what it’s meant for.

did it work? I don’t care what a club looks like if it works

[JungleJimbo]

2 hours ago, hybrid25 said:

Check this chipper out, and can be a number of various lofts. Read the performance section:

 

https://www.thomasgolf.com/Chippers-Right/Traditional-Shape

@hybrid25: I have the 60* version of this ThomasGolf hybrid. Didn't like it (not in the bag).
My guess = the lower-lofted versions are more playable/ higher margin-for-error. 
Typically i would chip/pitch with a 42* or 45* .
 

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, Myherobobhope said:

I could easily make room for it, and it would annoy the guys I play golf with... the question becomes is it actually useful for me? 
 

i don’t play a ton of bump and runs at my home course, so I’m not sure it would get a ton of use... my touch with wedges is also pretty good.

 

im going to keep it in the back of my mind and see if it would be useable... seems like a fun experiment. 

Yeah, I guess saying it’s only for Bump & Runs is oversimplifying what it really does. Really it executes Bump & Run type shots, but it also executes finesse chip shots within 20 yds too.
 

It’s definitely a club that can shave strokes and I agree @SugarLandGolfer’s comment that it could help a lot of golfers. But in my experience, once you learn to rely on the chipper, it makes it very tough to use other wedges and execute shots around the green without it, and that’s the main reason I dropped it. I felt that it stunted my growth in being able to use other clubs and execute other golf shots within 100 yds of the green.

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, SugarLandGolfer said:

did it work? I don’t care what a club looks like if it works

Absolutely, it works 100%. And I think that’s part of the problem...it works so well, so consistently, that I became reliant on it for everything within 20-30 yds and tried to stretch it out to yardage I had no business using it for.
 

It’s so easy to use that it’s tough to pair up with wedges that are much more difficult to dial in from 30-110 yds and weakens other parts of the short game.

 

Just my opinion though, and at the end of the day everyone has to use what’s best for them and their own individual games.

[SugarLandGolfer]

9 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Yeah, I guess saying it’s only for Bump & Runs is oversimplifying what it really does. Really it executes Bump & Run type shots, but it also executes finesse chip shots within 20 yds too.
 

It’s definitely a club that can shave strokes and I agree @SugarLandGolfer’s comment that it could help a lot of golfers. But in my experience, once you learn to rely on the chipper, it makes it very tough to use other wedges and execute shots around the green without it, and that’s the main reason I dropped it. I felt that it stunted my growth in being able to use other clubs and execute other golf shots within 100 yds of the green.

This is completely fair based on the golfers end goals. Based on your comments, you’ve been an athlete at a high level and would like to accomplish similar goals in golf. That’s great and as I mentioned, everyone has different goals. Sounds like the reason you dropped was for good reason, but others may not have as good a reason (ie it looks dumb).

[Feelingofgreatness]

4 hours ago, hybrid25 said:

Check this chipper out, and can be a number of various lofts. Read the performance section:

 

https://www.thomasgolf.com/Chippers-Right/Traditional-Shape

Seems like massive overkill. I'm not sure when you'd ever need an 18* or 21* chipper. I wonder if they've sold all those low lofted ones.

From what I have used, a chipper should be somewhere between 35 and 50 degrees. The ones I've used/tried that are the most effective are around 40-45*. I would like to try the 49* Niblick but they no longer make them. I think it would be cool to have a chipper that flies 60-70% and rolls 30-40%. My current Cleveland smart sole 3 chipper is about 1/3 fly, 2/3 roll.

[Feelingofgreatness]

4 hours ago, BallerNate said:

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with using a chipper, I used to use one as well. I’m just saying that’s the mentality I’ve used over the years in sports I’m proficient in, and the decision-making that went into dropping the chipper.

 

But no, I realize I can’t use X-Stiff shafts just because Pros use them, and there are lots of things they can do that I can’t. But that won’t stop me from striving to be a scratch golfer and be the best that I can be in all facets of the game, and I feel that relying on a chipper stunted my wedge/short game.

If a golfer is going to commit to a lot of short-game practice, it's probably not needed. 

The guys I tend to play with, I think it would help them. I see so many strokes lost with chunked and skulled high lofted wedges.

I don't think a golfer should be using the chipper for everything around the green. There are make shots that call for high lofted wedges and I think that's why companies like Cleveland make the smart sole 50 and 58* now.

[BallerNate]

31 minutes ago, SugarLandGolfer said:

This is completely fair based on the golfers end goals. Based on your comments, you’ve been an athlete at a high level and would like to accomplish similar goals in golf. That’s great and as I mentioned, everyone has different goals. Sounds like the reason you dropped was for good reason, but others may not have as good a reason (ie it looks dumb).

Exactly, as a high level competitor my whole life, I can’t handle being bad at anything and want to be a high level golfer too. Too far past my prime at 42 to try and make it a profession, but definitely want to play Men’s League, club tournaments etc. 
 

I felt like dropping the chipper would be painful in the short run, but in the long run it would help my ability to use other wedges from longer distances and be able to execute a larger variety of shots.
 

But no, someone not using a chipper because how it looks would be absolutely ridiculous and I wouldn’t support that at all! Use what works for you, and what it looks like shouldn’t matter at all.

[BallerNate]

7 minutes ago, Feelingofgreatness said:

If a golfer is going to commit to a lot of short-game practice, it's probably not needed. 

The guys I tend to play with, I think it would help them. I see so many strokes lost with chunked and skulled high lofted wedges.

I don't think a golfer should be using the chipper for everything around the green. There are make shots that call for high lofted wedges and I think that's why companies like Cleveland make the smart sole 50 and 58* now.

100%, I agree. Great club for beginners and for guys who don’t practice and only play 4-5 times per year.

 

But I also think once those guys want to take golf seriously and lower their handicap, building a reliance on the chipper makes it tougher to master other wedge shots within 110 yds.