Author: class17

Chipping & Pitching

Chipping and Pitching

The greatest golfers in the world, those who play the chip or pitch will be needed PGA and European Tours, average hitting approximately thirteen greens per round in regulation. That means that four or five times a round and accurate chip or pitch shot will be needed to save par.
High handicap players whose golf is for fun may hit only two or three greens per round in regulation. This provides him with many more opportunities to save or lose strokes by the quality of his short game. So, whether one plays for pay or pleasure, developing additional skill on the shots near the green will be reflected in significantly lower scores.
What is the difference between a chip and a pitch? A pitch shot “has more air time than ground time,” i.e., it is a lofted shot which a greater distance than it rolls. A chip shot has “less air time and more ground time,” rolling a greater distance than it flies. Trajectory is therefore a factor in the description: a pitch is high, a chip is low. Style can also help distinguish the shot. Chips are usually firmer-wristed one-lever strokes, while pitches may use more hinging of the wrists and hands to create a second lever.
As a general rule of thumb: Putt when you can, chip when you can’t putt, and pitch only when you have to. The basis behind this statement is that it’s easier to roll the ball than to loft it. There is more chance for error whenever you have to lengthen your backswing and and add velocity.
The chip shot is used whenever the player is near the green but feels he can’t putt due to heavy or uneven grass between the ball and the putting surface. In this situation the ball should clear any intervening terrain and land on the green. This is to achieve the truest bounce and greatest ball control. There are going to be times when one cannot safely execute a normal chip or pitch due to the ball’s lie, the location of the cup or the slope of the green. If a player understands these shots, and when and how to play them, he/she will be able to handle most situations.

The Chip Technique
• Shorten grip
• Narrow open stance
• Weight favors target foot
• Ball back in stance
• Posture lowered: flex in hips & knees
• Smooth pendular stroke: Lower body stable (one lever)
• Weight retained on target foot throughout the swing

The Pitch Technique
• Body aligned open to target
• Clubface open to target
• Ball middle to forward in stance
• Greater wrist involvement (two lever swing)
• Some degree of weight shift
• Swing along body lines.