Chipping

The most important thing to remember when chipping is to keep your hands ahead of or level with the clubhead through the follow-through. Make sure they stay in front all the way.

Grip down near the shaft for more control, bend your knees a bit to get down to the ball, and keep the club close to you—avoid reaching out for the ball. Shift a bit more weight onto your left foot, and keep your elbows relaxed. Remember, you’re hitting the ball with your hands, not with stiff elbows.

Your backswing and follow-through should be about the same length, similar to a putting stroke. Pick the club with the least loft that will get the ball on the green quickly and rolling toward the hole.

When you’re on a downhill or tight lie, or facing the wind or a fast green, always go for a chip over a pitch. In pressure situations around the green, use the club with the straightest face that will do the job. Sometimes that might mean reaching for a 3-iron to get the roll you need.

For high handicappers, using a putter from off the green is often a smart choice—it’s a more reliable way to get the ball close to the hole whenever possible.