At the end of my last article (basic pitch shot) I promised to follow up with the basic chip shot, and in this article I am going to do exactly that and give you four essentials for each of the two components of the basic chip shot.

Firstly we need to understand what we are trying to do when playing the chip shot. Quite simply this shot is always played from just off the green where putting would prove hazardous. If you are on the fringe of the green and the surface is good it is almost always safer to putt.

With the chip shot we are trying to get the ball up in the air and landing it on the putting surface as quickly as possible allowing it to roll to the hole. The distance from the ball to the green and to the hole will determine which club should be used - it could be anything from a 5 iron to a sand or even a lob wedge. The two components of the basic chip shot are address and execution.

Here is what you need to do on each to master this shot and bring your scoring down.

Address: To chip well you need to have the correct set up:

• Stance. Take a narrow slightly open stance with your body aimed slightly left of the target.

• Weight. Your weight should be set forward of the ball. About 60% on your left foot.

• Club Face. Aim the club face directly at your target

• Hands. The chip shot is characterised by inactive hands (as in putting). Keep your left arm and the club shaft in a straight line which in turn will keep your left wrist (for right handed players) straight and a slight bend in your right wrist. This hand position remains constant throughout the stroke. Your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball at address, do not push them too far forward. Palms should be facing each other.

Execution: Now that you are correctly set up you simply need to pull the trigger.

• Takeaway. The shoulders, arms, hands and club work as a unit. Feel as if you are holding a towel across your chest and under your arms. There is no weight shift on the backswing.

• Body turn. Turn your stomach and hips to rear working together as one (the amount of turn will determine the length of the chip). The arms will automatically follow the body.

• Wrists. Probably one of the most important points. The wrists remain constant throughout - there is no change form address through to finish. Left wrist in a straight line with the club shaft and left arm and right wrist slightly bent (right handed players, opposite for left handed players).

• The finish. Finish with the club low to the ground as you do with your putter. This will help you to avoid trying to scoop the ball.

The wrists are such an important part of this shot so I am going to give you a drill you can practice almost anywhere without a club or a ball. Without a club take your set up position. Let your arms swing freely. Place your palms together, creating a praying or elephant trunk position. Point you fingers to the rear (this will be a slight exaggeration of the actual grip). Maintain your extended arms while swinging them back and forth in a pendulum motion, keeping your fingers to the rear throughout the swing. Concentrate on your wrists not breaking either way.

So there you have it - the basic chip shot. Practice it regularly with your irons - from 5 iron through to sand wedge and learn how far the ball flies and rolls with the different clubs and swing lengths.

Remember if you can master the basic chip shot you will improve your golf scores dramatically.