In Search of: Consistent Chipping Motion

[MacMia]

Anything Similar to the 9 to 3 Drill?

I know that it is early in the season (at least up here in the Northeast) but I played last Fri in 20+mph winds, had four birdies, struck the ball great- but failed to get up and down 4 out of 6 times- and still ended up at 5 over. In those cases, my ball was no further than 25-35 yards from the hole and nothing special in terms of flop shots needed. It was also not a putting issue- I did not miss inside 8 feet all day (which means on these chips I obviously did not chip it inside 8 feet which is terrible). My miss was short with too much spin.

I'm looking for tips on how to get a consistent and repeatable chipping motion. I do not want to think about what club to pull- typically favor my 56- or look for anything crazy in terms of spinning it. I also drop to anything from 7 to pw to play a bump and run (which I am actually good at already). My search is for a consistent and simplified chipping motion for anything from 25 to 35 yards, looking to fly the ball perhaps 2/3rds of the way to the hole, hit with moderate spin, and release to the hole.

Suggestions much appreciated- especially drills that would help me reinforce the motion. I have spent the offseasson retooling my posture and improving core strength/flexibility. I'd like to take advantage of this as I look for a new chipping motion. Also, I have decided that my practice time will be dedicated 50-75% of the time on this shot until I can get it ingrained.

Any thoughts? Visuals appreciated...

[Dariusz J.]

Well, the most consistent way of playing chip/pitches for myself is very very similar to the 9-3 Drill.

In fact, it's the Hogan's way of chipping/pitching motion. The only one difference is that your body is not turning back much (as in case of normal backswing turn), but a golfer takes just the club back using only arms (say, to 9 o'clock position) and from there hits the ball using only body pivot. You will obtain an open body position at impact and you will use the bounce of the sole much more (it's important to choose a proper bounce of wedges for your usual playing conditions as well as use wedges with a bit more of heel relief). Of course, the majority of the body weight remains on your lead foot. The clubhead stays perpendicular to the arc the whole motion (from 9 to 3) and is slightly open at first contact with the ball. The club literally slides under the ball. Very easy to control distances - the only one disadvantage is smaller compression, thus, this kind of motion is not good in case you want a ball to check on the green and stop immediately. You need to predict a roll - depending on the loft of your club and the firmness of the green.

For these kind of shots you may easily use all higher lofted clubs up to a 60* wedge.

 

Cheers

[TEConnor]

Pick up "The Art of the Short Game" by Utley. It uses a "rotary" chipping and pitching motion and is a really great companion for the 9 to 3 drills and rotary swings, in my opinion.

 

Tim

[dfw1500]

Dariusz, the shipping techique like the 9 to 3 shot is a great way to play but the shot can be played with spin and lots of check as well as with release.....i teach this shot to a lot of my players what I do is get them to set up with up to 75% of their weight favouring their left and the ball near to the back foot and the hands inside the left thigh wide then make a mini turn back....then rotate the lower torso belly button hard and fast to the left holding the angle in the right wrist for as long as possible this will have the body open to the target and you will feel the ball being trapped against the turf and the club will go straight to the left and will be ultra close to the body this will make the ball fire off the club and take 1 hop and then start to check up....if you want to play the release shot with this technique you slow down the body turn and this will let the ball release more due to less compression and less spin generated;)

 

Cheers Dan

[KevCarter]

Dariusz, the shipping techique like the 9 to 3 shot is a great way to play but the shot can be played with spin and lots of check as well as with release.....i teach this shot to a lot of my players what I do is get them to set up with up to 75% of their weight favouring their left and the ball near to the back foot and the hands inside the left thigh wide then make a mini turn back....then rotate the lower torso belly button hard and fast to the left holding the angle in the right wrist for as long as possible this will have the body open to the target and you will feel the ball being trapped against the turf and the club will go straight to the left and will be ultra close to the body this will make the ball fire off the club and take 1 hop and then start to check up....if you want to play the release shot with this technique you slow down the body turn and this will let the ball release more due to less compression and less spin generated;)

 

Cheers Dan

 

Dan, I'm really working to relieve a bad case of the chip yips. I believe my problem is from lack of rotation, and I believe with help from you and Dariusz in this thread I can beat it...

 

I don't understand what you are saying here:

 

and the hands inside the left thigh wide

 

If you would be so kind as to expand on what you were saying here I think I will be off to a great start as the rest of your post is clear as a bell to me.

 

Thanks for your time as always!

 

Kevin

[Dariusz J.]

Dariusz, the shipping techique like the 9 to 3 shot is a great way to play but the shot can be played with spin and lots of check as well as with release.....i teach this shot to a lot of my players what I do is get them to set up with up to 75% of their weight favouring their left and the ball near to the back foot and the hands inside the left thigh wide then make a mini turn back....then rotate the lower torso belly button hard and fast to the left holding the angle in the right wrist for as long as possible this will have the body open to the target and you will feel the ball being trapped against the turf and the club will go straight to the left and will be ultra close to the body this will make the ball fire off the club and take 1 hop and then start to check up....if you want to play the release shot with this technique you slow down the body turn and this will let the ball release more due to less compression and less spin generated;)

 

Cheers Dan

 

Thank you, Dan, for your post. I was not aware of this. When using the technique I've described in my post I place the ball near the left insteep, thus, the compression is not so great, however both the line as well as distance prediction is great - at least for me.

I will definitely try to toy with placing the ball further back and hit the ball with delofting, as you advice. It would be great to have another chipping technique in the arsenal especially taking into account that the main motion is practically the same. I presume that the difference will be that the club won't slide under the ball but instead attack with a bit delofted and not so open clubface and cut a nice deep divot, yes ? And since you will not rather use so much of the bounce what leading edge in wedges would you recommend - a flattish one or a curved one ? Lastly - if the ball goes straight to the left - should hter be an ammendment in the stance (e.g. slightly closed) ?

 

Cheers

[KevCarter]

Dariusz, the shipping techique like the 9 to 3 shot is a great way to play but the shot can be played with spin and lots of check as well as with release.....i teach this shot to a lot of my players what I do is get them to set up with up to 75% of their weight favouring their left and the ball near to the back foot and the hands inside the left thigh wide then make a mini turn back....then rotate the lower torso belly button hard and fast to the left holding the angle in the right wrist for as long as possible this will have the body open to the target and you will feel the ball being trapped against the turf and the club will go straight to the left and will be ultra close to the body this will make the ball fire off the club and take 1 hop and then start to check up....if you want to play the release shot with this technique you slow down the body turn and this will let the ball release more due to less compression and less spin generated;)

 

Cheers Dan

 

Thank you, Dan, for your post. I was not aware of this. When using the technique I've described in my post I place the ball near the left insteep, thus, the compression is not so great, however both the line as well as distance prediction is great - at least for me.

I will definitely try to toy with placing the ball further back and hit the ball with delofting, as you advice. It would be great to have another chipping technique in the arsenal especially taking into account that the main motion is practically the same. I presume that the difference will be that the club won't slide under the ball but instead attack with a bit delofted and not so open clubface and cut a nice deep divot, yes ? And since you will not rather use so much of the bounce what leading edge in wedges would you recommend - a flattish one or a curved one ? Lastly - if the ball goes straight to the left - should hter be an ammendment in the stance (e.g. slightly closed) ?

 

Cheers

 

Great question. I really like Utley's short game principles, but he advocates NOT playing the ball back, which really freaks out my brain. I feel like I have a much better chance to make solid contact with the ball back as Dan is suggesting. When we do that, we are not using the bounce as designed. Does that matter?

 

Kevin

[dfw1500]

When the ball is played back you are hitting the ball with a more trapping action that compresses the ball against the face and traps it into the turf.....I have one of the pro's I teach that can hit this shot so low and with so much check it really is awesome when the shot comes out it almost looks like it is thinned but te strike is great because of the way the ball is struck there is a small divot taken after the shot but this action is so similar to the 9 to 3 it really checks;)

 

I paly a wedge that has a rounded leading yet quite sharp at the leading edge........this sllows me to still play the utley shot yet also play the checking version of it and you can still use the bounce.....Dariusz you are correct that the club will attack the ball sharper and won't slide under the ball.....the bounce on the club will stop it from completely digging into the turf and wil allow you for the crisp strike.

 

The sentance was meant to read the hands inside the left thigh not sure where my poor grammar for the wide came into account.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers Dan

[Dariusz J.]

When the ball is played back you are hitting the ball with a more trapping action that compresses the ball against the face and traps it into the turf.....I have one of the pro's I teach that can hit this shot so low and with so much check it really is awesome when the shot comes out it almost looks like it is thinned but te strike is great because of the way the ball is struck there is a small divot taken after the shot but this action is so similar to the 9 to 3 it really checks;)

 

I paly a wedge that has a rounded leading yet quite sharp at the leading edge........this sllows me to still play the utley shot yet also play the checking version of it and you can still use the bounce.....Dariusz you are correct that the club will attack the ball sharper and won't slide under the ball.....the bounce on the club will stop it from completely digging into the turf and wil allow you for the crisp strike.

 

The sentance was meant to read the hands inside the left thigh not sure where my poor grammar for the wide came into account.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers Dan

 

It does a lot, thanks. Unfortunately, as I have suspected, my favorite wedges are not good for this type of shot. They are wide sole flat edge ones - great for using bounce...

...however, I have an idea - my 52* Approach Wedge is a blade from the regular set - I'll try to bring into life your idea with this club as soon as I can go out playing.

 

Cheers

[KevCarter]

When the ball is played back you are hitting the ball with a more trapping action that compresses the ball against the face and traps it into the turf.....I have one of the pro's I teach that can hit this shot so low and with so much check it really is awesome when the shot comes out it almost looks like it is thinned but te strike is great because of the way the ball is struck there is a small divot taken after the shot but this action is so similar to the 9 to 3 it really checks;)

 

I paly a wedge that has a rounded leading yet quite sharp at the leading edge........this sllows me to still play the utley shot yet also play the checking version of it and you can still use the bounce.....Dariusz you are correct that the club will attack the ball sharper and won't slide under the ball.....the bounce on the club will stop it from completely digging into the turf and wil allow you for the crisp strike.

 

The sentance was meant to read the hands inside the left thigh not sure where my poor grammar for the wide came into account.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers Dan

 

Perfect, Thanks Dan!

Kevin