You throw away the chips. This happens and is not just the result of poor technique. There are intricate lies all around the green, the most difficult to appreciate when you’re chopping grains. Even Tour players struggle to recognize him.
When you are in grain, using your standard chip swing with your sand or bulb wedge usually results in the leading edge of your club digging into the ground behind the ball, even with a big swing. It’s just one of those things.
Fortunately, you have clubs in your bag that can turn this missed shot into a great chip almost automatically. You just have to think beyond relying on your sand wedge or lobster whose design promotes digging, especially when you’re in the grain.
So try this (and not just for deep lies). Grab your gap wedge or opening wedge and position it as normal, but lean the shaft back, with the handle pointing at your back hip (above left). This does two things: 1) it adds loft to the club, turning your putter into, say, a sand wedge, and 2) it takes the leading edge off the ground and positions the trailing edge to better help the club slide through the ground instead of digging in.
The result? A clean shot with zero flub. It will take some practice, but the results will be fantastic, whether you’re splitting your head or from anywhere else.
Kevin Weeks is one GOLF Teacher to watch who teaches at Cog Hill Golf & CC in Lemont, Ill.
