Chip Better in One Minute – Kathryn Imrie

Whether you’re a beginner picking up clubs for the first time or a seasoned pro looking to shave strokes off your scorecard, having a solid short game is crucial for golf success. And one of the most important short-game skills is chipping. Mastering chipping tips for golf on how to chip the ball close to the hole can save you countless putts and help you avoid those dreaded double and triple bogeys.

In this article, we’ll provide some essential chipping tips directly from PGA golf instructor Kathryn Imrie to help you gain confidence and consistency in your short game. With a few simple adjustments to your setup and swing, you’ll be pitching and chipping like a pro in no time. Let’s get started!

The Proper Stance in Chipping is Key

The foundation of a good chip shot starts with having the proper stance. Coach Kathryn emphasizes the importance of establishing a athletic yet stable base, with a stance about as wide as the width of your shoulders. Gripping down on the club helps control the distance of your chip, so make sure you’re holding the club at least halfway down the grip when implementing these chipping tips for golf.

To find the optimal position, create a triangle shape with your arms hanging straight down and the club pointing back between your feet. This triangle formation allows your arms to swing freely while keeping your body steady. Before you swing, align your chest and feet parallel to your target line.

Maintain the Triangle Throughout the Swing

Once you’ve set up in a solid athletic stance, it’s crucial to maintain that triangle shape as you swing the club. Keep your elbows, arms, and club in the same triangle plane on the backswing, downswing, and finish. This ensures you’re making a short, compact swing and preventing any wrist flipping or scooping.

As Coach Kathryn demonstrates, keeping the triangle intact promotes consistent contact and trajectory. Don’t let your arms collapse or splay outward. Make sure they stay connected in a triangular motion, with the clubface returning squarely to the ball.

Accelerate Through Impact

To get the ball rolling true and take strokes off your scorecard, it’s vital to accelerate your club through impact. A common chipping mistake is decelerating as you make contact with the ball. This leads to shorter, offline shots that leave you farther from the hole.

Instead, maintain your arm speed and even accelerate slightly to create clean ball-first contact. Let the clubhead do the work rather than flipping your wrists. The club should be moving fastest right at impact, not before or after. This transfers maximum energy to get the ball up and rolling towards your target.

Land the Club Lightly

Upon solid impact with the ball, your follow through is just as important as the takeaway and backswing. To gain optimal distance control, you want to land the clubhead very lightly on the turf after it strikes the ball.

Too often, amateur golfers plop the club heavily behind the ball, which kills any momentum. Practice lightly brushing the grass post-impact to enhance your distance precision. Your swing path should feel almost effortless, using finesse instead of force.

Play from Different Lies

Chipping success requires adaptability, as every shot presents a unique lie. You’ll be faced with uphill chips, downhill chips, chips from the rough or sand, and an array of other scenarios. It’s critical to practice your chipping tips for golf technique from various positions and surfaces.

Always assess the lie first before setting your stance. For example, open your stance slightly on uphill lies and play the ball back. On downhill chips, narrow your stance and position the ball forward. If chipping from gnarly rough, grip down a bit more on the club and make clean contact. Get creative on practice chips so you’re ready for anything.

Drill It

Of course, no golf tip is complete without a drill recommendation. Here is a great chipping drill to ingrain proper fundamentals:

Place three balls at 5, 10, and 15 yard distances from a target, whether it’s a hole or marked spot. Take a mid-range club like a 7 or 8 iron. Chip the first ball using your proper technique focusing on the triangle motion. Land the club lightly and note the distance traveled and roll. Repeat for the remaining two balls.

This helps calibrate distance control so you can dial in the exact force needed. It also provides feedback on strike consistency. Ideally each shot will have the same flight trajectory and roll.

Track Your Progress

Finally, be sure to track your progress so you can recognize your improvements. Use video on the driving range to compare your form over time. During practice sessions, record your proximity to the target with each chip shot. You’ll see your averages gradually get lower as your skills progress.

It’s extremely satisfying to quantify your development. Plus it will motivate you to stick with your chipping practice. Don’t get discouraged if progress is slow at first. Like any golf skill, chipping requires patience and perseverance. But with the proper fundamentals and focused practice, you will get better chip by chip!

Conclusion:

Whether you’re stuck in a tricky situation on the course or just looking to shave strokes off your score, sharpening your chipping technique is a must for all golfers. Following these chipping tips for golf from PGA coach Kathryn Imrie on stance, swing triangle, impact, and more can help anyone gain consistency and confidence with their short game. Remember to ingrain the proper motions through repeated practice. Master these essential chipping fundamentals, and you’ll be up and down in no time!