Refine Your Technique: 6 Pro Tips for Improving Your Chipping in Golf

Do you want to join a golf tournament, but don't feel confident in your swing?

Professionals make chipping look effortless when you watch it, but it's a different story when you try it yourself. When you get used to playing a particular way, it can impact your ability to improve your game.

Learning how to chip a golf ball consistently will make you stand out on the course. Take a look at some of our tips below so you can work on chipping practice!

1. Shorten Your Swing

Have you ever played put-put golf and seen someone stretch their clubs behind them?

This force isn't necessary on playful courses, and it's also not needed when you try to chip the ball. To get the ball in the air, you don't need as much force behind the swing. A shorter swing will help you consistently chip the ball and you don't have to go wider than your shoulders.

Try to create a triangle between your grip and shoulders, don't leave this zone. Chipping requires a short and quick motion, with minimal extension.

2. Perfect Your Posture

If you lack good posture, learning how to chip a golf ball consistently will seem impossible.

Improving your posture can help you get more power behind each swing, without losing control. While practicing, slightly bend forward and keep your arms below your shoulders. When you lose this posture, you increase your risk of bowing forward and missing your shot.

The common struggle golfers face is over-squatting. Squatting too much can lead to inconsistent contact since it's more difficult to control movement. You want to ensure enough bounce and flexibility in your movement, while still restricting yourself.

As you gain confidence, you may discover a more natural posture. Try changing your grip and keep your shoulders and hips loose. The goal is to create a narrow triangle between your shoulders and grip on the club.

Many golf chipping tips recommend stretching before and after golfing. This will loosen the muscles and prevent injuries while on the course. Exercise and stretching are directly linked to improving posture.

3. Focus On Your Swing Direction

When you strike the ball, you can go in one of three directions.

You can go forward, back, and through the ball. You can also go around (in to out) or out to in. If you swing too far inside, you'll expose the heel of the club and likely hit it from behind. To create a straight line, use two pennies or tees to develop a visual for the course.

If you're feeling confident and want to show off new skills, sign up for one of our tournaments or outings!

4. Tilt Toward Your Target

Chipping for beginners can be difficult if you don't know how to manipulate the ball.

To get the ball in the air, you must have a descending blow. It's essential to tilt your body forward and in the direction of your target. This will reduce errors when you go to strike the ball and help control the direction.

Tilting gives you a natural ability to get underneath the ball. Depending on the course, you may have to rely on physics, even when it doesn't seem like you'll get the ball in the air. If you get the club pinched between the ball and the turf, it should quickly rise into the air.

Similar to other sports, the ball will go in the direction that you follow through. Holding your position while tilting forward will give you more distance control and force. Make sure your ball position for chipping is in alignment with your shoulders when you take a swing.

Practicing chipping with a proper tilt can impact the trajectory of shots. The further your club can go beneath the ball, the more spin it will gain in the air and on the green. Every golfer needs to know how to chip so they can pull themselves out of sandtraps and lower their par.

5. Align the Ball

Before you swing, you should take a moment to line your ball up with the target.

You want a straight view of your target and may need an alignment rod to control your direction. Place a penny or tee in front of the ball and behind it, it should create a line and you can use your club to align your body.

If your stance is too far back, you'll hit the ball with the heel of the club. When you're too far forward, the toe of the club will strike the ball. Practice an open stance, your alignment rod should be between your heels with space to move

Our country club has dived deep into common golfer mistakes. Take a look at these to perfect your alignment.

6. Get Out of Your Mind

Regardless of the player, each athlete struggles to succeed because of mental barriers.

Anxiety, pressure, and low confidence impact all types of players, but only the best can overcome them. If you assume that you won't get the ball in the air, you'll find yourself getting angry on the course.

If you want to learn how to chip a golf ball consistently, you need to have a clear mind. Overthinking can prevent you from seeing clearly. It's best to get in a relaxed state of mind.

To help overcome emotions on the course, practice deep breathing. Controlling your breath can improve your stroke and keep you in the moment. Luckily the views at Piqua Country Club are serene and calm.

Show Everyone You Know How to Chip a Golf Ball Consistently

If you don't know how to chip a golf ball consistently, you may deal with more frustration on the course.

Learning about ball and body positioning can make a significant difference to your swings. Frustration and anxiety often cloud the mind and lead to errors. You'll look great in the next tournament if you try these tips.

Ohio is home to some of the best golf courses, but not all of them have an array of programs like ours. If you want to discover more about our golfing options, view club membership details here!