Short Game Secret: How To Use A Golf Chipper Right Now

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Short Game Secret: How To Use A Golf Chipper Right Now

Do you find chipping around the green tricky? Many golfers do. Trying to hit a perfect chip shot with a wedge can be tough. It needs lots of practice and skill. But what if there was an easier way? There is! A golf chipper can make those short shots much simpler. It helps you get the ball onto the green and rolling towards the hole, often just like a putt. This can save you strokes right away and make playing near the green much less stressful.

Deciphering the Golf Chipper

What exactly is a golf chipper? Think of it as a mix between a putter and a wedge. It looks a bit like a putter because it has a flat face and often a similar length shaft. But it also has some loft on its face, like a wedge. This loft is usually between 7 iron and 9 iron loft (around 30-45 degrees).

This special design is key. It lets you use a simple putting stroke. You hit the ball with a gentle swing, like you are putting. The loft lifts the ball slightly into the air. It goes just high enough to clear the fringe or any short grass. Then, it lands and starts rolling, just like a putt would.

Why is this helpful?

• It takes away the need for a big swing.
• It means you don’t need to hinge your wrists a lot (or at all!).
• It uses a motion you already know: the putting stroke.

This makes around the green golf shots much easier to learn and do right.

Why Use a Chipper Club Use?

Golf is a game of skill. But it is also about making it simple for yourself. The chipper helps simplify your short game golf tips list. Instead of choosing between a half swing with a sand wedge, a lob wedge, or a pitching wedge, you have an easy option.

Many new golfers or those who struggle with traditional chipping find the chipper a game changer. It helps build confidence. When you stand over a shot with a chipper, you know you can use a simple stroke. This takes away the fear of hitting it thin (skulling) or fat (chunking).

Using a chipper means you only need to master one basic swing for many shots near the green. This is much easier than learning different techniques for different wedges. It’s a great addition to golf beginner chipping tips.

When to Use a Golf Chipper

Knowing when to grab your chipper is important. It’s not for every shot near the green.

Think of these situations:

• Just off the green: The ball is only a few feet off the putting surface.
• Smooth path: There’s no tall grass, bunker, or obstacle right in front of you.
• Need more roll: You want the ball to roll most of the way to the hole after it lands.
• Tight lies: When the grass is cut very short, making it hard to get a wedge under the ball.
• Uphill shots: On an uphill chip, the ball will stop sooner. The chipper’s roll helps it get there.

Picture this: Your ball just missed the green. It is sitting on the fringe or in short fairway grass. The pin is 15 steps away. There are no bunkers between you and the hole. This is a perfect time for the chipper. Use your putting stroke, and the ball will pop over the fringe, land, and roll like a long putt.

On the other hand, do not use a chipper for:

• Shots over bunkers.
• Shots over deep rough.
• Shots that need to stop quickly (like downhill shots or when the pin is very close to the edge).
• Long chips (more than 20-30 yards, usually).

The chipper is best for shots where you want the ball to spend very little time in the air and lots of time rolling on the green. It is ideal for golf green-side shots that are close to the putting surface.

Pitching vs Chipping Golf: Where the Chipper Fits

Let’s clear up the difference between pitching and chipping.

• Chipping: This is a low shot that runs (rolls) a lot more than it flies. You use less loft (like an 8 iron up to a pitching wedge). The swing is small. The ball stays low.
• Pitching: This is a higher shot that flies more than it runs. You use more loft (like a pitching wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge). The swing is bigger. The ball goes higher and stops faster.

Where does the chipper fit? It is designed specifically for the chipping type of shot. It has the loft to get the ball airborne slightly, but its main job is to get the ball rolling fast.

Think of it this way:

• Need high shot, stops fast? Use a wedge (pitching or sand). This is pitching.
• Need low shot, runs a lot? Use an iron (like an 8 or 9) or a chipper. This is chipping.
• Need very simple motion, just off the green, lots of roll? Use the chipper. This is specialized chipping.

The chipper simplifies chipping by giving you one club and one motion for those specific “off the green, need to roll” situations.

Grasping the Golf Chipping Technique with a Chipper

The beautiful thing about the chipper is that the golf chipping technique is almost identical to putting.

Here is the simple process:

h4: Setting Up for the Shot

• Grip: Use your normal putting grip. Hold the club lower on the grip for more control on shorter shots.
• Stance: Stand with your feet close together, just like putting.
• Ball Position: Place the ball slightly back in your stance, toward your back foot. This helps you hit down on the ball slightly and get it rolling quickly.
• Weight: Put a little more weight (maybe 60%) on your front foot. Keep it there throughout the swing.
• Posture: Stand comfortably, bent slightly at the hips. Your eyes should feel like they are over the ball, like in putting.

h4: The Simple Golf Chipper Swing

This is the core secret. Your swing should be just like a putting stroke.

• Takeaway: Move the club back smoothly. Keep your wrists firm. Do not hinge them or get ‘handsy’. Think of your shoulders and arms moving together in a triangle shape.
• Downswing: Bring the club back to the ball. Again, no wrist action. Let the weight of the club head do the work.
• Impact: Hit the ball with a descending blow (hitting down on it slightly). The clubface should be square to your target. Keep your wrists firm. Your lower body should stay quiet.
• Follow-Through: Let the club swing forward naturally. The length of your follow-through should roughly match the length of your backswing. Finish with the club moving towards your target.

Key point: The chipper swing is about rhythm and length of stroke, not speed or power from your wrists. It’s a pendulum motion from your shoulders.

Controlling Distance with Chipper

This is where practice comes in. Controlling distance with a chipper is done almost exactly like controlling distance with a putter.

The main way to change how far the ball goes is by changing the length of your backswing and follow-through.

• Short backswing = Short shot: For a short chip that needs just a little roll, make a very small backswing.
• Medium backswing = Medium shot: For a longer chip, make a slightly bigger backswing.
• Longer backswing = Longer shot: For the longest chipper shots (say, 20-30 yards), use a longer backswing, but still keep it controlled and with no wrist hinge.

The tempo of your swing should stay the same. A smooth, consistent tempo is key for good distance control. Do not try to hit it harder by swinging faster. Make the swing longer.

h4: Learning Distance Control

Practice is the best teacher for controlling distance with chipper.

1. Find a practice green or chipping area: Set up different targets at varying distances (e.g., 5 steps, 10 steps, 15 steps).
2. Start close: Begin with the shortest target. Make small strokes. Watch how far the ball rolls.
3. Gradually increase distance: Move to the next target. Use a slightly longer stroke. Pay attention to the feeling and the stroke length needed.
4. Repeat: Hit many balls to each target. Get a feel for how far different backswing lengths send the ball.
5. Note the land spot: For a chipper, the ball flies a short distance and then rolls. Try to figure out where the ball needs to land to roll to the hole. For example, on a 15-yard shot, it might land 3 yards onto the green and roll the rest of the way. Practice landing the ball on that spot using your distance control.

Using yardage markers or even just your steps is a good way to measure. Practice hitting to 10 paces, then 20 paces, getting the feel for the right stroke length.

Golf Beginner Chipping Tips Using a Chipper

If you are new to golf or new to using a chipper, here are some simple tips:

• Start simple: Don’t try tricky shots first. Find flat lies just off the green.
• Master the stroke: Practice the putting-like swing without a ball first. Get comfortable keeping your wrists firm and swinging with your shoulders and arms.
• Practice often: Spend 10-15 minutes each practice session just chipping with it. Hit lots of balls from the same spot.
• Watch the roll: Pay more attention to how the ball rolls after it lands than how high it goes. The roll is the important part.
• Trust the club: The chipper is designed to work with a simple stroke. Don’t try to help it or scoop the ball. Just make the putting motion.
• Aim small, miss small: Pick a landing spot just onto the green. Aim for that spot instead of the hole itself.
• Forget your wedge: For those easy chip shots, commit to using the chipper. Don’t switch back to a wedge out of habit. Give the chipper a real chance.

These golf beginner chipping tips will help you get comfortable and see the benefits quickly.

Refining Around the Green Golf Shots

The chipper can help you refine your whole approach to around the green golf shots.

Instead of thinking about complex techniques, you can think about two main options for many shots:

1. Putt it: If the green is smooth and clear from your ball to the hole.
2. Chip it with the chipper: If you are just off the green, need to clear the fringe, and want the ball to roll like a putt.
3. Use a wedge: If you need to hit over something (bunker, deep rough) or need the ball to stop quickly.

This three-option system is much easier to handle under pressure than trying to pick the right wedge and the right swing for every little chip.

The chipper takes care of that middle ground – not quite a putt, but doesn’t need a full-on wedge chip either. It makes those golf green-side shots much more predictable.

Getting the Hang Of Common Mistakes

Even with a simple club like the chipper, you can make mistakes. Knowing what to avoid helps you get better faster.

• Being wristy: The biggest mistake is using your wrists too much. This adds loft, makes contact inconsistent, and makes distance control hard. Keep those wrists firm!
• Trying to scoop: Don’t try to lift the ball into the air. The chipper’s loft does that for you. Just hit down slightly on the ball.
• Hitting it too hard: Power comes from stroke length, not swing speed. A fast, short swing is harder to control than a smooth, slightly longer one.
• Using it in the wrong situation: Don’t try to chip over a bunker with it. It won’t work well. Know when to use a golf chipper and when to grab a wedge.
• Standing too far away: Get close enough to the ball so you can make a comfortable, controlled swing with your arms hanging naturally.
• Moving your body: Your lower body should stay very still, just like in putting. Too much body movement makes consistent contact difficult.

Keep your swing simple, trust the club, and avoid these common traps.

Selecting a Chipper Club

If you don’t have a chipper yet, you might want to get one. What should you look for?

• Loft: Most chippers have loft between 30 and 45 degrees. This is like an 8 iron, 9 iron, or pitching wedge. More loft means the ball flies a bit higher and rolls a bit less. Less loft means it flies lower and rolls more. Start with something in the middle, around 35-40 degrees.
• Length: Chippers are usually shorter than irons but a bit longer than putters. Find one that feels comfortable for your putting stroke. Some look exactly like a putter but have loft.
• Weight: Feel the club head weight. It should feel solid, like a putter head.
• Lie Angle: This is how the club sits on the ground. It should be more upright than a regular iron, more like a putter. This fits the putting stance.
• Right-hand or left-hand: Chippers are often made for right-handed or left-handed players specifically, like other clubs. However, some older or simpler designs are “double-sided,” meaning they can be used by either hand. If you are a beginner, a specific right or left-handed chipper is usually better.

Try holding a few different chippers if you can. See which one feels best in your hands using a putting grip and stance.

Putting It All Together: Making the Chipper Your Friend

The chipper is a special tool for a specific job. It helps you with those tricky shots just off the green. It takes away the need for a complex golf chipping technique that requires lots of practice to master with a wedge.

By using a simple golf chipper swing – basically a putting stroke – you can get the ball over the first bit of grass and rolling towards the hole with much more consistency.

Remember the key steps:

• Use a putting grip and stance.
• Place the ball slightly back in your stance.
• Keep your weight slightly forward.
• Swing like a pendulum with your shoulders and arms.
• Keep your wrists firm.
• Control distance by changing the length of your swing, not the speed.

Incorporating the chipper into your short game golf tips can seriously lower your scores and make golf more fun. It removes a common source of frustration for many players.

It might feel a bit strange at first, especially if you are used to hitting chips with a wedge. But give it time. Practice the simple motion. Use it on the course when the situation is right (just off the green, clear path, needing roll).

Many golfers, from beginners to seasoned players who struggle with chipping, find the chipper incredibly effective. It is a legal club according to golf rules (as long as it only has one hitting face or meets specific design rules for two faces).

Don’t think of it as cheating. Think of it as using the right tool for the job. Just like you wouldn’t use a driver for a putt, you might not want to use a sand wedge for a simple bump-and-run off the fringe. The chipper fills that gap perfectly.

It simplifies golf green-side shots. It makes controlling distance with chipper shots easier because the motion is familiar (like putting). It reduces the variables compared to a wedge chip.

Give the chipper a try. Practice with it. Learn when to use a golf chipper and when to use a wedge. You might find it’s the secret weapon your short game has been missing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

h4: Can I use a chipper in a tournament?

Yes, usually. Golf rules allow clubs with a single hitting face. Chippers are made this way. Even two-faced chippers can be legal if they meet certain design rules (like symmetry). Most chippers sold today are perfectly legal for play in tournaments. Check the specific club if you are unsure, but for casual play, don’t worry about it.

h4: Is a chipper just for bad chippers?

No. While chippers are great golf beginner chipping tips, many skilled players also use them for certain shots because it is the most effective club for that situation. It simplifies a shot that can be missed with a wedge, even by good players. Consistency is key in golf, and the chipper often provides more consistency for its intended use.

h4: How is a chipper different from a 7 or 8 iron for chipping?

A chipper is designed specifically for the putting stroke. It often has a shorter shaft, a more upright lie angle (like a putter), and sometimes a heavier head or a putter-like grip. While you can chip with an iron (using a similar low-flight, high-roll technique), the chipper’s design is optimized for that exact motion and desired ball flight/roll. Using a chipper is often easier than trying to chip with a standard iron.

h4: How far can you hit a chipper?

A chipper is for short shots. Most golfers will use it for shots from just off the green up to about 20-30 yards away. The maximum distance depends on the chipper’s loft and how hard you swing (using stroke length). It is not designed for long pitches or full swings.

h4: Do I need a full swing with a chipper?

Absolutely not! The chipper is meant to be used with a putting stroke or a very small chip swing. Think of it as a long putt. A full swing would send the ball too high and too far, and it’s not how the club is designed to be used. Use the simple golf chipper swing described earlier.

h4: What kind of ball flight does a chipper produce?

A chipper produces a low ball flight compared to a wedge. The ball pops up just enough to clear the fringe or short grass, then lands and rolls out like a putt. The amount it pops up depends on the loft of the chipper.

h4: Does the ball spin with a chipper?

Not much. Unlike wedges which can impart lots of backspin, a chipper is designed for minimal spin. The goal is roll, not spin. This is another reason why it is easier – you don’t have to worry about controlling spin like you might with a wedge.

By adding a chipper to your bag and learning when and how to use it, you can take a big step towards better scores and more fun on the golf course, especially around the greens.