If you’re not consistent in your chip shots, 100 GOLF’s top teacher Trent Wearner says two common mistakes could be the problem. Here’s how to fix them.
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Not sure what’s going on lately, but my short game just keeps crippling my scorecard – which is a common theme for other amateur players as well.
During the last months, I’ve been hitting the ball off the tee and I had above average approach shots, but once I get close to the green, everything it seems to be falling apart.
Splinter here, shot skull there, and don’t even get me started on how bad my distance control has been fielding and chip shots.
As frustrating as it all is, I know there is hope – as the fastest way to shave off hits is by calling the short game. But to fix a problem, you need to identify where the problem starts, which is why I touched on it GOLF Top 100 Teachers Trent Wearner to assist.
So read on to see two common scratch defects that Wearner says he often sees with players—and some simple tips on how to fix them both.
Avoid these mistakes when hitting a chip shot
“If you can rip well, it takes so much pressure off your iron game,” Wearner tells me. “While getting up and down is a two-part skill—one part chip and one part putt—it all starts with executing the ideal chip shot.”
However, he says many disabled people are nervous or just don’t know how to perform well because of bad habits.
“A lot of golfers are worried about chips,” he adds. “This tends to stem from a setup item and a moving item – both of which are easily fixable when you follow these tips.”
In the setup, you are staying too far from the ball
“When you stand too far off the golf ball at address, it puts your hands too low, letting the bottom of the wedge sit in the air,” explains Wearner. “The club’s goal should be LOT vertical, so you’ll be much closer and higher at address.”
Wearner says a simple exercise at home can help you choose your setup position.
“An easy way to test your setup position is by using your hardwood floor at home,” says Wearner. “Just put a wedge on the floor so you can see and feel what it takes to get the bottom of the club flat (or even with the heel slightly up) at address. If the toe is too high, the heel will usually catch the grass at impact, which will not allow the club to slide through the grass properly for good contact.”
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You are not getting your body back
Another common issue Wearner sees in the short game is one that amateurs often struggle with in full swing – there is not enough rotation in the body. But in the short game, it’s a different twist.
“People just don’t turn their body enough through the landing, impact, and finish—especially in their hips and chest,” says Wearner. “Instead, their arms often swing down without a quality body pivot. This causes the club to hit the ground in front of the ball, resulting in a choppy shot and often causing the golfer to unconsciously pull in their arms, which causes backstabs.
Either chipping or chipping is no way to go through life, so Wearner suggests the following to improve your short game spin for immediate improvement.
“You should try to open your body through impact, letting the shaft of your club end quite low, but keeping your body open and long at the bottom,” he says. “When you watch golf on TV, you notice how open and long the bodies of Tour players are in the finish position when they hit shorter shots.”
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