9 Best Golf Chipping Tips And Drills For Beginners

Improve your golf game with our expert golf chipping tips. Learn the proper techniques and practice drills to sharpen your skills and lower your scores.

Golf chipping is a shot played close to the green, typically with a lofted club such as a wedge. It is used to get the ball onto the green and close to the hole.

This guide will provide some of the best golf chipping tips and drills for beginners to help you perfect your shot.

Improve your chip shots with golf chipping tips

Improving your chip shots will help you become a better golfer, as it is important to accurately and consistently hit chip shots to succeed on the course.

Here are some tips to help you improve your chipping as a beginner:

1. Have a Proper Posture

Establishing proper posture is the most critical aspect of your spin; once that’s done, you can adjust accordingly to match the shot.

This allows you to properly set up your shot and ensure that you have the correct alignment. Also, proper posture allows you to maintain balance, gives you more control when executing the shot, and helps you to hit the ball where you want it to go.

The ideal golf posture involves bending forward from the hips and allowing your arms to hang comfortably beneath your shoulders. This stance allows for a successful swing, but many players opt for a less suitable squatted position, leading to poor contact with the ball.

When your posture is correct, your body will be able to rotate more efficiently than if you were off balance. This rotation will help you generate more power for your shot, increasing the distance your chip shot will travel.

2. Check the stance and set up

Putting and chipping demands precision in the motion of your stroke, though you will maintain a similar posture for both.

Make subtle alterations to your stance and setup to perfect your chipping technique and get the desired results.

1. Firmly grasp the handle towards its lower end for maximum control.
2. Keep your stance narrow by positioning your feet approximately one clubhead apart.
3. Slightly adjust your ball position to the back.
4. Subtly lean your club shaft and upper body towards the goal.

Note: Avoid gripping the golf club too tightly, as this can cause you to tense up and make for a poor swing.

3. Understand the ball and turf interaction to chip better

To get the desired loft on your chip shots, remember the golden rule: Hit down to make the ball go up. This implies that you must hit over the turf rather than hitting the ball directly. This requires you to make a descending stroke, so keep your upper body tilted toward the target. 

Doing this will help you hit the ball with enough power and loft that it gets airborne for at least a short period of time.

4. Get your chipping stroke right 

Golfers can achieve a successful chipping stroke by maintaining an intact triangle with their arms and shoulders. To do this, you must ensure that your arms remain relatively steady during the swinging motion. Keeping the triangle solid throughout the shot is key for achieving a smooth, powerful chip onto the green.

You can achieve a powerful and accurate chip shot with the right mechanics and proper chipping technique. Most golfers aim for a compact chipping stroke below hip level and equal both back and through. 

Note: Avoid making large swings, as this can negatively impact the quality of your strike and ultimately lead to flawed shots.

5. Adjust the ball position

When it comes to shorter chip shots, a narrow stance is key. Positioning the ball slightly behind your feet can help you determine the height of your shot. 

A centered ball position eliminates forward shaft lean at setup, resulting in a higher launch, while a slightly back position increases spin and lowers the elevation of your trajectory. Use this to your preferences and the specific shot at hand.

6. Get hold of your distance control

Once you have the fundamentals, controlling your distance is about finding the right balance. A great way to do this is by mastering one basic stroke size and changing clubs accordingly to affect flight-to-roll ratios. With practice, you’ll be able to hit any shot with precision and accuracy.

7. Experiment with different chipping techniques

There are many ways to chip a golf ball; the best technique depends on your individual swing and the shot you are trying to hit. Some players prefer to use a putting stroke, while others prefer to make a more traditional golf swing. Experiment with different techniques and see what best hits a chip shot perfectly.

8. Practice your aim

When chipping, aim for a spot on the green about 10-15 feet past the hole. This will give you a better chance of getting the golf ball close to the hole and avoiding any bunkers or hazards in front of the green.

9. Adjust your club selection

Different types of clubs will produce different shots, so choose the right club for the shot you are trying to hit. A higher lofted club, such as a sand wedge, will produce a higher, softer shot, while a lower lofted club, such as a 9-iron, will produce a lower, harder shot.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you should be able to improve your golf chip shots and get the ball closer to the hole.

Chipping drills

Practicing drills can help you improve significantly and make a real difference in your golf game. Here are some of the best chipping drills to help you perfect your technique – from basic movements to tips for controlling trajectory and spin:

1. The “Y” or Triangle drill

If you’re looking to take your chipping game up a notch, here’s a drill that could improve your results immediately. While practicing chipping, focus on adopting a lowercase y shape in your arms and the club shaft when viewed straight-on.

Put about 60-70% of your weight on the front foot by maintaining this shape throughout the swing.

Note: Your upper body should swing with the wrists and arms making no movement. This will ensure you get a downward blow with minimal effort.

2. Hula Hoop Chipping Drill

This drill is perfect for you if you’re looking to improve your chipping and pitching skills. Here are the steps on how to do the Hula Hoop Chipping Drill:

1. Set up golf balls in 5-yard intervals from a hula hoop, or make a similar-sized circle with string.
2. Start with the closest ball, and each time you successfully chip it within the hula hoop, move on to the next one further away.
3. If you miss any of them, restart from the beginning.

This drill will help you develop different chipping techniques, track your progress and push yourself to reach new goals.

3. Trail Hand Release Drill

Try the trail-hand release chipping drill to stop struggling with sculling or yipping your chip shots.

Follow the steps below to do the trail hand release chipping drill.

1. Start by taking your normal chipping stance – feet narrow, ball off the back foot, and 60-70% of the weight on the front foot.
2. Make your normal chipping stroke but drop your trail hand off the grip just before impact.
3. Focus on keeping your lead arm swinging directly toward the target.
4. This drill will help you train your body to physically not allow it to do what typically causes a golfer with yips to mess up their shot.

4. Chip-a-Coin Chipping Drill

Challenging yourself to chip coins can help you make crisper contact with your chip shots, improving accuracy and making the golf ball seem easier to hit.

1. Place some coins on the room carpet and get clean club contact sending the coin into the air.
2. Place a cup in the middle of the floor and aim to chip as many coins into it as possible.
3. Use an old wedge when practicing this drill because, after some time, the coins can start making small dents in your club face!

5. Slam Dunk Chipping Drill

This chipping drill is a great way to have fun while improving your game. Pick a distance that is between 10-30 yards and try to slam dunk as many chip shots as you can into the cup without touching the green. This drill will improve your ability to hit accurate chips and control distances.

Conclusion

Good chip shots will help you save strokes and increase your overall score. It is essential to practice with chip shots, as they are one of the most challenging golf shots to master on a chipping green.