Short uphill chips are tricky shots for some weekend players. If you watched this year's Masters on TV, you saw plenty of these shots. You also saw several methods of playing them, from putting to chipping with a fairway wood. These methods all work because they allow you to control the shot's spin and speed. But the best way to handle this type of shot--at least for the weekend player--may be the running chip, a short-swing shot that minimizes risk.
Below are five keys to this shot:
- Choose a 6- or 7-iron
- Play the ball off your back foot
- Lean your weight forward
- Use your arms and shoulders
- Pinch the ball against the dirt
The running chip cuts short uphill shots down to size. The shot is easy to learn and simple to execute. When you're close to the green, you want to hit low risk shots like this.
Use a 6- or 7- iron for this shot. Try both in practice and see which works best for you. Position the ball opposite your back foot, lean three quarters of your weight on your front side, and swing the club back using your arms and shoulders. Hit down, pinching the ball against the turf. This kills the club's momentum and cuts off your follow-through. The ball will jump forward, bounce a few times, and roll like a putt.
Pinch Shot Drill
Stick a shaft in the ground about 12 inches ahead of your front foot. Practice hitting down on the ball, never letting the clubhead reach the shaft in the ground. With your weight forward and the ball back, swing down on the ball. Keep practicing until you've ingrained the shot and can control the distance of each shot. You can also practice with the different irons until you feel comfortable with one.
Mastering the running chip helps you conquer troublesome uphill shots. If it's hit correctly, the running chip shot turns three strokes into two, lowering your score.
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Bio: I have been teaching the fundamentals of golf for 6 years. I am currently a certified golf instructor and a practicing professional structural engineer. My handicap is currently +1 and hope to become a professional soon. My articles are produced exceptionally well with extreme accuracy, so I hope you enjoy them.
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