Parker McLachlin hits a low chip
@shortgamechef
The putt and run is one of the most popular shots in golf because it’s easy to hit and reliable from most green lies. And with the right configuration keys, you can own this trusted chip and put yourself within reach every time.
Follow these six steps from Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Top 100 Teachersto perfect the hit and run and number in your short game.
Start by grabbing a club with a low pitch, like a 7-iron. This will produce a lower launch stroke that spins like a putt and is easy to control.
“We’re going to let the lack of a loft in this club do the work for us,” says McLachlin.
Step 1: Approach the ball
As you plant your feet, narrow your stance and get closer to the ball. Your feet should be a few inches apart and about six to ten inches from the ball, as McLachlin shows in the video above.
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Step 2: Lift the handle
Raising the club grip allows you to be more vertical or straight at address. McLachlin explains that this is key to making solid contact because it helps you use your toe, allowing the club to slide the club through the turf instead of catching or digging into the heel.
Step 3: Take control
For this shot, McLachlin says to sink into the grip, almost into the steel, and use your grip. This clever adjustment tricks your brain into thinking of the stroke as a stroke rather than a stroke.
“I don’t want to hit this ball, I want to touch it,” says McLachlin.
Step 4: Neutral Ball Position
One of the most important keys to setting up a hit and run is proper ball position. If your ball position lags too far back, you’ll take the club off and dig it into the ground, producing a shot with little or no height on it. This is why you can occasionally chip or thin these greenside shots.
Instead, McLachlin says to play the ball between your mid-stance and toe. A great way to find your optimal ball position is to take a few practice swings and see where your club naturally goes.
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Step 5: Swing your shoulders
“We’re going to make this a ‘slap on the shoulder,’ not a ‘slap of the hands,'” says McLachlin.
To do this, McLachlin says to swing your shoulders back and through, like you would on a putt. This helps you utilize the large muscles, creating a smooth and fluid stroke. Once you’ve nailed that shoulder swing, focus on keeping your lower body still. Then put them all together.
