Chipping: Shaft lean and clubface direction

[MBAndrews21]

Should you try to match the impact position to the setup position when chipping (shaft lean and clubface angle)? Is it a bad thing if the clubface is more open at impact than at address? 

[aggiegolfer21]

If you're chipping well then it's not an issue.  If you're missing your chips short, high, and right then maybe.  Conventional wisdom would say that you want the clubface square or more closed than at address, but if what you do works, don't change it.

[GungHoGolf]

13 hours ago, MBAndrews21 said:

Should you try to match the impact position to the setup position when chipping (shaft lean and clubface angle)?

I do, because I’m trying to eliminate as many variables as possible with such a short shot and simplify the movement.

 

13 hours ago, MBAndrews21 said:

Is it a bad thing if the clubface is more open at impact than at address?

 

Are you missing chips right (assuming you’re RH)? Then yes.

 

Personally, I aim the chip with the clubface at setup, being as precise with the wedge as I am with the putter, and try to take my wrists out of the shot unless it’s a longer (>20 yd or so) pitch, so the clubface is stable.

 

Side note: if you’re chipping with an open face to expose more bounce on the club or get higher trajectory, the club path influences shot direction more than the clubface.

Edited August 28, 2023 by GungHoGolf

[getitdaily]

I'm just trying to keep the handle moving...

 

Except on flop shots...I'll often have the feeling of the clubhead outrunning my hands.

[North Butte]

Are we talking chipping or pitching? 

 

For pitch shots my golf coach recommends letting the clubface open up very slightly in the backswing (being careful not to yank the club inside at takeaway, my personal bugaboo). He probably starts with it a couple degrees open at address and his opens up another 3-4 degrees during the backswing.

From there he showed me two motions. Normally he will hold that extra loft all the way through to impact for a high, soft toss type of flight. But optionally, he will let his hands release back to square at impact and during the follow-though to get a slightly lower more punchy trajectory. 

 

But in no case do I ever add forward shaft lean during a pitch shot. I want as much of the bounce engaged as possible and if I come into impact with hands forward even my fairly high bounce wedges ae going to present too much leading edge to the ground, rather than the back of the sole as desired.