Golf tip: How to hit the high/soft chip or pitch
Have you ever been amazed by watching PGA Tour players hit flop shots on television? Phil Mickelson is famous for it, but all Tour players can do it. Let me try and explain to you the biggest differences in most amateurs' chipping technique versus a tour player or high-level amateur.
Most amateur golfers have been taught the "safe" go-to chipping method: use a 7 or 8 iron, put the ball back in your stance, hands forward to create a shaft lean to the left (for a right-handed golfer) and use a "putting" stroke, which means keep your wrists firm. The ball comes out low, does not fly in the air very far and rolls out considerably.
This method works fine if you have nothing between you and the pin or if the pin is far enough on the green to allow the ball to land and roll. But what do you do if you have a bunker to go over or if the pin is close to you with very little green to work with? This is where you need to learn to elevate the golf ball softly.
Most amateur golfers' technique in the above mentioned style of bump 'n run is to swing their arms back, keep the wrists stiff, then proceed to swing their arms to impact. Once at impact, their arms stop, wrist breaks and the club head passes their arms and body. Also, both the player's hips and chest are still facing in front of them, where the ball was.
You will never see a Tour player in this position. This is a sure receipt for hitting the middle of the ball, and the dreaded "skull shot" occurs. Let me give you a few techniques to practice to help you hit high, soft chip shots.
The setup
Use your sand wedge or lob wedge. Move the ball forward in your stance (inside left heel). This will also put your arms and hands in a position slightly behind the ball. The grip end should be pointing at the zipper of your pants. Open your stance and club head slightly.
The backswing
As your arms swing back, keep your left arm straight, let your wrists "set." Feel your right wrist bending to create an angle between the shaft of the club and your right forearm. The more you set the wrists, the greater the angle you create and the higher the ball will go.
The downswing
As your arms start to fall toward the ground, maintain the angle you have created with your wrists. Do not break or flip the wrists. As you near impact, allow your hips and chest to gently rotate to the left. Continue to swing your arms through impact, keeping them in front of your body. Do not stop your arms and flip your wrists. When the swing is finished, your hips and chest should be facing your target, weight should be on your left side and the club is still in front of your body.
This is a slightly more advanced shot than the average chip, but if you practice the proper technique and learn to hit it high and soft around the greens, you will save numerous shots.
• Chris Gumbach is head professional at the River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst. Gumbach was named the Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 2018.