Play it sa fe i f you ca n’t
reach in two
The automatic reaction of
many amateurs when they
mishitchipsistomovetheball
backintheirstancetotryand
hit the ball before the turf. But
theballbackandtheshaft
leaningforwardmakesthe
attack angle steeper andreduces the margin for error at
impact. You might make
contact, but you’ll have less
control and consistency. For
crisp and repeatable contact,
and an increased margin for
error, you need a shallower
attack angle.By Steven OrrI’m not making
consistent contact
when chipping
WHAT IF...
DESCRIBE THE SHOT
YOUWANTOUTLOUD
Areallygoodtechniquetohelpyou
be very clear about what your
objectiveisandtofocusonthe
positive of your intended shot (rather
thanthenegativelike‘don’tgointhe
water’)istodescribetheshotout
loud. For example, ‘I want to start the
ballatthecentretreeandhitagentle
drawtothemiddleofthefairway’.
Leaveasshortatimebetween
finishing your description and pulling
the trigger as possible.PSYCHOLOGY TIP
Stand upright to
the ball with your
feet close
together, heels
square to the
target, ball in the
centre of your
heelsandtheclub
pointing straight
forwards out of
your belly button.1
Keep the club in
place and turn
your upper body
alittletowards
the target so it
points just ahead
of the ball.2
Lean forwards
naturally to take
up your posture
anddropthe
clubhead just in
frontoftheball.
This is where the
bottom of your
swing arc will be.3
Move the club
behind the ball
andslightlyopen
thefacewithout
changing your
body position.
Your set-up will
produce a shallow
arcthatstrikesthe
ball withaslightly
downward attack.4