How do I avoid chunking or blading chip shots?

Understanding Chunking and Blading in Chip Shots

Chunking occurs when you hit the turf well behind the ball, resulting in a fat shot that comes out heavy and short. Blading, or thinning, happens when the club strikes the ball too high on its face, producing a low, skidding shot with minimal distance and poor control. Both mishits plague short game practice and rounds, but they stem from predictable swing flaws related to low-point control, hand position, and posture. Mastering solid contact requires hitting the ball first, then brushing the turf for clean compression.

Common Causes of Chunking and Blading

• Chunking (Fat Shots): Excessive weight shift toward the toes, early release of the hands (scooping), or standing up during the swing, causing the swing's low point to occur behind the ball.
• Blading (Thin Shots): Weight shifting back to the heels, hands lagging behind the clubhead at impact, or lifting the upper body prematurely, leading to an ascending blow.
• Shared Issues: Poor setup alignment, inconsistent spine angle, or overactive wrists that disrupt face control.

Essential Setup Fundamentals

Begin every chip with these non-negotiables for reliable low-point control:

1. Grip: Use a neutral to slightly strong grip to promote face control and prevent flipping.
2. Stance: Position the ball off the inside of your front heel, with weight favoring the front foot (60-70%). Narrow your stance for stability.
3. Hands and Shaft: Position hands ahead of the ball at address, creating forward shaft lean for a descending angle of attack.
4. Posture: Maintain spine angle and bend from the hips, keeping your chest over the ball.

Key Swing Techniques for Clean Contact

Focus on a controlled, descending blow where the club brushes the grass through impact:

• Hit Ball First, Turf Second: Emphasize low-point control by feeling the club strike the ball before the turf. Visualize a chip and run trajectory where the ball spends more time rolling than flying.
• Hands Ahead at Impact: Keep hands leading the clubhead through the ball for compression. Avoid flipping wrists—let the club's loft do the work.
• Maintain Spine Angle: Stay centered over the ball; resist standing up or swaying. This ensures repeatable contact.
• Descending Blow: Swing down and through, brushing the grass post-impact. Promote an arm-dominated motion for stability.

Proven Drills to Build Consistency

Incorporate these drills into your practice routine, starting with half-speed swings:

1. Feet-Together Drill: Hit chips with feet close together to develop balance and an arm-focused swing. This eliminates lower-body sway and promotes brushing the grass.
2. Impact Bag Drill: Using an impact bag (like those recommended in Sage The Stabilizer training), practice forward shaft lean and compression. Strike the bag with hands ahead to groove solid contact.
3. Tee Drill for Low Point: Place a tee 1-2 inches behind the ball. Swing to clip the ball without touching the tee, training you to hit down first.
4. Lawnmower Drill: Without a ball, rehearse clipping grass just beyond a mark, mimicking the ideal turf interaction.

Practice on varied lies around the green, alternating between chip-and-run shots and higher lobs to build versatility.

Key Takeaway

Avoid chunking and blading by prioritizing forward weight distribution, hands-ahead impact position, and preserved spine angle for a descending, brushing strike. Consistent fundamentals and targeted drills like feet-together and impact bag work will transform your short game reliability, saving strokes where it counts most. Commit to these principles, and your chips will roll true with precision control.