FAULT NO.49 Chipping - poor address position

I'm sure that I don't have to tell you how important chipping is when it comes to saving shots. Getting up and down three or four times in a round can turn a mediocre score into a good score; a good round into a great round.

The key to chipping close to the hole on a regular basis is controlling the speed at which the ball rolls after lands on the green. Only a repetitive method and practice can teach you the relationship between your stroke and the behavior of the ball. But for your method to be effective, it must originate from a solid set-up position.

Judging the pace at which the ball 'releases' upon landing on the green is all but impossible if you play from a faulty setup For example, if you set up with too much weight on your right foot and the ball too far forward in your stance(1); or tend to stand straight-legged and reach for the ball (2) - two of the most common faults that I see - the chances of making consistent club-ball contact are slim, to say the least. The clubhead is destined to approach the ball on a poor, 'scoopy' angle, which inevitably results in a mishit shot.

FIX NO.49
Ball back, weight forward, hands forward

To produce a stroke that you can repeat over and over again, adjust your setup as follows. Firstly, take a narrow, open stance (ie. align you body left of the target), position the ball back toward your right foot, and place a good percentage of your weight on your left side (1, 2). Now push your hands ahead of the ball and feel that your chest-bone is leaning to the left of the ball.; if you like, feel that you assimilate your impact position at address. At first, you'll probably feel as if you're off balance. But persevere.

What this setup will enable you to do is swing the club up a little on the backswing and then take a shallow divot as you return the clubhead to the ball on a downward angle. So it promotes a slightly descending angle of attack through impact - ideal for 'pinching' the ball off the turf (especially if you have a tight lie).

This exercise will help you check if you have achieved your setup goal. Lay a shaft on the ground just outside your right foot (so that it forms a right angle with you ball-to-toe target line), and then make your chipping stroke (3). If you have set up correctly, the clubhead should pass over the shaft both on the way back and on the way down, creating consistent ball-turf contact. Upon landing, your shots will now roll in a consistent manner each time, so making club selection much easier.