JUNIOR GOLF: Chip away at that scorecard
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: July 07, 2009 3:31 PM
By Brad Clapp
assistant pro, sun rivers golf course
information@sunrivers.com
Since the majority of golfers do not always hit the green on their approach, we rely on our chipping.
Choosing the right chip shot for different situations can save a lot of strokes.
No matter what club you have chosen or what chip you want to hit, there are three key steps that do not change:
n Open up your stance and body slightly toward your target.
n Start your hands just ahead of the ball to avoid a scooping motion.
n Keep the majority of your weight on your front foot so you start the ball in the right direction.
Once all three of these steps are done, the only thing left is to make the stroke.
Rock your shoulders back and forth as if it were a putt with as little wrist movement as possible.
Do not try and scoop the ball as your club’s loft will get it up.
In order to choose the right club, you must look at how much green is between your ball and the hole.
When you have lots of green to cover, follow the motto “The lower the shot, the lower the risk.”
Try these shots out at the Sun Rivers practice facilities with all types of clubs.
Use your pitching wedge or sand wedge for shots that do not have much green between your ball and the hole, then try using your 9-iron and 8-iron for longer bump and runs.
Once you get some practice in with these, step out of your comfort zone and try something more difficult.
Have fun with it and trust it on the course.
v2
