Do you struggle with shots around the green? Do you wonder when to use a chipper in golf? A golf chipper can be a game-changer for many players, especially when you are close to the green but too far to putt. It helps you get the ball onto the green and rolling like a putt quickly. Learning the correct golf chipper technique involves a simple setup and a short swing, making it easier than a traditional chip shot with a wedge for many golfers. This guide will show you how to master this helpful club.
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Discovering the Golf Chipper
A golf chipper is a special club. It looks a bit like a putter but has a small amount of loft, like a low-lofted iron or a pitching wedge. It is designed to help you hit shots from just off the green. The ball will fly low and roll a lot, just like a putt. This club makes short game shots easier for many players.
The Perks of Using a Chipper
Why should you add a chipper to your golf bag? Many good reasons exist.
- Simple to use: Chippers are very forgiving. They are much easier to hit correctly than a wedge for many people.
- Fewer bad shots: With a chipper, you are less likely to hit the ball too fat (hitting the ground before the ball) or too thin (hitting only the top of the ball). This means fewer bad shots around the green.
- Putter-like feel: You swing a chipper almost like a putter. This familiar motion gives you more confidence.
- Consistent results: The chipper helps you get the ball close to the hole more often. This saves you strokes.
- Bridging the gap: Sometimes, you are too far from the hole to putt but too close for a full wedge shot. The chipper is perfect for these in-between shots.
Mastering Your Golf Chipper Technique
To use a chipper well, you need to learn a few key steps. The golf chipper technique is simple. It uses a short, smooth swing. Think of it as a long putt.
Chipper Golf Club Setup: Getting Ready
A good start is key. How you set up your body and the club matters a lot.
- Stance: Stand with your feet close together. They should be about shoulder-width apart. This gives you a stable base for a short swing.
- Ball Position: The chipper ball position is important. Place the ball near the middle of your stance. Some players like it a little bit forward, others a little back. Try both to see what feels best. A good starting point is just off the lead foot heel.
- Weight: Put more of your weight on your front foot. About 60-70% of your weight should be there. This helps you hit down on the ball slightly. It also helps the ball come off the club cleanly.
- Hands Forward: Your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball. This is called “forward press.” It helps you get a good, clean strike. It also lowers the ball flight.
- Club Face: Aim the club face directly at your target. Do not open or close it too much. Keep it square.
Golf Chipper Grip: Holding the Club Right
How you hold the club affects your swing. A good golf chipper grip is like a putting grip.
- Putter Grip: Most golfers use their regular putting grip with a chipper. This means your thumbs run down the top of the shaft. Your hands work together as one unit.
- Light Grip: Hold the club gently. Do not squeeze it too hard. A light grip helps you feel the club head. It also lets your wrists stay relaxed.
- Hands Low: Hold the club lower on the grip. This makes the club shorter. It also gives you more control. Some golfers even choke down a lot.
Chipping Club Swing Tips: Making the Shot
The swing with a chipper is short and simple. It is not like a full golf swing.
- Smooth Backswing: Take the club back low to the ground. Keep your wrists firm. Do not let them break or hinge much. It is a pendulum motion. The backswing should be short. Only go back a little.
- Controlled Downswing: Bring the club down through the ball. Keep your wrists firm here too. Focus on hitting the ball first. Then the club should brush the turf.
- Follow Through: Finish your swing low and towards your target. Your hands should follow the club. Do not stop at impact. A smooth follow through helps the ball roll true.
- Tempo: Keep your swing smooth and even. Do not rush it. A slow, steady rhythm is best. Think of it as “tick-tock.”
Here is a simple table for the chipper swing:
| Swing Part | Action | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Backswing | Short, low, hands and club move together. | Keep wrists firm, no hinge. |
| Downswing | Smooth, accelerating, hit ball first. | Maintain firm wrists, simple motion. |
| Follow Through | Extend towards target, low finish. | Smooth motion, keep club on line. |
| Tempo | Slow and even. | Think “tick-tock” for rhythm. |
When to Use a Chipper: Making the Right Choice
Deciding when to use a chipper is important. It is not for every shot around the green. The chipper is best when you are just off the green and have clear grass between your ball and the hole.
- Fringe Shots: If your ball is on the fringe (the short grass just outside the green), the chipper is perfect. It lifts the ball just enough to clear the fringe. Then it rolls out like a putt.
- Short Rough: If you are in very light, short rough near the green, a chipper can work. But if the grass is thick, a wedge might be better.
- Open Path to the Green: The chipper needs a clear path. If there are bunkers or tall grass right in front of you, the chipper is not the best choice. It hits the ball low, so it needs room to run.
- Windy Days: On windy days, a low-flying shot is good. The chipper helps keep the ball out of the wind. This gives you more control.
- Fast Greens: If the greens are very fast, a chipper can be tricky. The ball will roll a lot. You need to control the distance very well. On slow greens, it is excellent.
The Bump and Run Chipper Shot: A Go-To Play
The bump and run chipper shot is what this club does best. It is a simple, effective way to get the ball close to the hole.
What is a Bump and Run?
A bump and run shot means the ball flies a short distance in the air. Then it lands on the green and rolls the rest of the way to the hole. It is like a long putt. The chipper is made for this shot.
How to Hit It
- Setup: Use the chipper setup we talked about. Ball in the middle, weight forward, hands forward, putter grip.
- Aim: Pick a spot on the green where you want the ball to land. This spot should be maybe 5-10 feet onto the green. The ball will then roll to the hole.
- Swing: Use your putting stroke. Keep your wrists firm. The backswing and follow-through should be equal in length.
- Feel: Focus on feeling the club head. Let the club do the work. The goal is a smooth, gentle strike.
- Roll, Roll, Roll: Watch the ball land and roll. The less air time, the more roll. This makes it very predictable.
Practice is key for this shot. Try to land the ball in the same spot each time. Then see how it rolls out.
Chipper vs. Putter vs. Wedge: Choosing Your Weapon
Around the green, you have choices: a chipper, a putter, or a wedge. Knowing the differences helps you pick the right club. This is a common question: Chipper vs. putter vs. wedge.
The Putter
- Best for: When you are on the green or very, very close to it (e.g., fringe, very short grass).
- Ball Flight: No air time. The ball rolls along the ground from the start.
- Control: Very high control over distance and direction on flat ground.
- Ease of Use: Easiest club to hit for pure roll.
- Problem: Not good for clearing obstacles like rough or small humps.
The Chipper
- Best for: Just off the green, short fringe, very light rough. When you need a little loft to clear something, then a lot of roll.
- Ball Flight: Low flight, then a lot of roll.
- Control: Good control, often more forgiving than a wedge for chipping.
- Ease of Use: Easier than a wedge for many players. Gives a higher success rate for getting the ball onto the green.
- Problem: Not for high shots over bunkers. Not for deep rough.
The Wedge (e.g., Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Lob Wedge)
- Best for: When you need to get the ball high in the air. Over bunkers, over tall grass, out of deep rough, or when you need the ball to stop quickly on the green.
- Ball Flight: High flight, less roll (especially with higher-lofted wedges).
- Control: Can be very precise, but requires more skill and practice. More ways to hit it wrong (fat, thin).
- Ease of Use: Hardest of the three for most amateur players for short game shots. Requires proper technique for clean contact.
- Problem: Higher risk of hitting a bad shot. Harder to be consistent.
Here is a table to compare them:
| Club | Ideal Use Case | Ball Flight | Roll After Landing | Ease of Use (for beginners) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putter | On the green, very short fringe, no obstacles | None (pure roll) | Max | Easiest |
| Chipper | Off green, light fringe/rough, small obstacles | Low, short airtime | High | Easier than wedge |
| Wedge | Over bunkers, deep rough, need high flight | High, longer airtime | Low (stops quick) | Hardest |
Chipping Around the Green: The Chipper’s Role
Chipping around the green is a vital part of golf. It saves strokes. The chipper makes this part of the game much simpler.
- Simpler Decisions: With a chipper, you often only need to decide how hard to swing. You don’t need to worry as much about club face angle or wrist hinge.
- Higher Success Rate: Using a chipper means more consistent contact. This means fewer shanks or fat shots. More often, the ball will end up on the green and rolling.
- Mental Boost: When you know you have a reliable club for those tricky shots, your confidence grows. Less stress means better play.
- Course Management: When you plan your shot, think about using the chipper if the path is clear. It is often the safest bet. It gives you a good chance to make par or bogey.
Golf Chipper for Beginners: Starting Strong
If you are new to golf, a chipper is a great club to have. Golf chipper for beginners can greatly help your short game.
- Learn the Basics: The chipper teaches you basic chipping ideas. It shows you how to aim, how to set up, and how to make a simple swing.
- Build Confidence: When you hit good shots with the chipper, you feel better about your game. This confidence helps you learn other shots.
- Save Strokes Fast: The chipper is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores. Instead of hitting a bad chip with a wedge, you can hit a good one with a chipper. This means fewer putts.
- Less Frustration: Golf can be hard. The chipper makes one part of the game easier. This means less frustration for new players.
- Practice Smart: Start by practicing with your chipper. Learn to hit it well. Then, you can slowly add more complex shots with wedges.
Beginner Tips for the Chipper:
- Start Close: Begin practicing from just off the green, about 10-15 feet from the hole.
- Aim Small, Miss Small: Pick a small target, like a specific blade of grass, where you want the ball to land.
- Clock Drill: Imagine your swing is like a clock. For a short chip, maybe your hands go back to 7 o’clock and through to 5 o’clock. For a longer chip, perhaps 8 o’clock back and 4 o’clock through. Keep the swing smooth.
- Consistency Over Power: Focus on hitting the ball cleanly and consistently. Power is not important for chipper shots.
- Watch the Roll: After you hit the ball, watch how it rolls. This helps you learn how hard to swing next time.
Practice and Mastery: Making the Chipper Your Friend
Like any golf skill, using the chipper needs practice.
- Range Time: Spend time at the practice green. Hit many shots with your chipper.
- Vary Distances: Practice hitting shots from different distances off the green. Try 5 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet. See how your swing changes for each.
- Different Lies: Practice from light rough, fringe, and even bare lies if your course has them. See how the ball reacts.
- Play Games: Make a game out of it. Try to get 3 balls within 3 feet of the hole. Or challenge yourself to make 5 out of 10 up-and-downs with your chipper.
- Trust Your Club: Once you are good with your chipper, trust it on the course. Don’t go back to a wedge if the chipper is the better choice.
The chipper is not a magic club. But it can make your short game much simpler. It can save you many strokes. It helps you get the ball close to the hole more often. It also helps you avoid big scores on tough holes. Add one to your bag, learn its simple swing, and watch your short game improve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
h3 Is a chipper a legal club in golf?
Yes, a chipper is a perfectly legal club to use in golf. It follows all the rules set by golf bodies. Many golfers use them in their regular play.
h3 Can a chipper replace my wedges?
No, a chipper cannot replace all your wedges. A chipper is best for low-flying shots that need a lot of roll. Wedges are needed for high shots, shots over bunkers, or shots from deep rough where you need the ball to stop quickly. A chipper is a helpful extra club, not a full replacement.
h3 How many degrees of loft does a chipper have?
The loft on a chipper usually ranges from about 37 degrees to 47 degrees. This is similar to a 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-iron, or pitching wedge. This loft helps the ball get over the fringe and roll out.
h3 Is a chipper only for beginners?
No, a chipper is not only for beginners. While it is great for new players to build skill and confidence, many experienced golfers use chippers too. They use them for reliability and to avoid bad shots around the green. If it saves you strokes, it’s a good club for anyone.
h3 How is a chipper different from a hybrid club?
A chipper is made for very short shots around the green. It has a short shaft and a putter-like feel. A hybrid club is designed to replace long irons. It has a longer shaft and is used for longer shots from the fairway or light rough. They have very different uses on the course.
h3 Should I use a chipper from deep rough?
No, a chipper is not the best choice from deep rough. The club’s design and low loft make it hard to get the ball out of thick grass. For deep rough, a wedge with more loft and a sharper leading edge is usually better. It can cut through the grass and lift the ball.
h3 Does a chipper count as one of the 14 clubs?
Yes, a chipper counts as one of the 14 clubs you are allowed to carry in your golf bag during a round. You must stay within the 14-club limit, so if you add a chipper, you might need to remove another club.