Choosing the Right Club for Chipping Around the Green
Chipping around the green is a critical short game skill that requires precision, control, and the right club selection to get the ball close to the hole with minimal strokes. The goal is a low, controlled trajectory that lands softly and rolls predictably toward the pin. Selecting the appropriate club depends on the distance to the hole, the lie of the ball, green conditions, and the amount of carry versus roll you need.
Primary Recommended Clubs: Wedges
A wedge is the go-to club for most chipping situations around the green. These clubs have high lofts (typically 46° to 64°) and are designed for short approach shots or chips, providing the necessary height and spin for soft landings.
- Pitching Wedge (PW, 44°-48° loft): Ideal for longer chips (10-30 yards) where you want more roll than carry. Use it when the ball is on a good lie and the green is firm or fast.
- Gap/Approach Wedge (GW/AW, 50°-54° loft): Versatile for medium chips (5-20 yards). Balances carry and roll, perfect for fluffy lies or when you need a bit more height without excessive spin.
- Sand Wedge (SW, 54°-58° loft): Excellent for standard chips from tight lies or light rough (3-15 yards). He selected a sand wedge for the bunker shot, but it's equally effective for greenside chips needing moderate height and bounce to glide over obstacles.
- Lob Wedge (LW, 58°-64° loft): Best for short chips (under 10 yards) over hazards like bunkers or rough, or when maximum height and stopping power are required on firm greens.
When to Use an Iron
An iron—a club with a flat angled face used for shorter shots or approaches—can work for chipping in specific scenarios, particularly when promoting roll over carry.
- 9-iron or 8-iron: Choose these for very long chips (20+ yards) from firm lies where you want the ball to run out like a putt. This "putting with a wedge" style minimizes loft for distance control.
- Avoid higher-lofted irons unless conditions demand it, as they reduce spin and height unnecessarily.
Key Factors for Club Selection
Assess these elements before every chip to avoid mishits:
- Distance and Trajectory: Shorter carry? Higher loft (LW/SW). Longer roll? Lower loft (PW or iron).
- Lie and Turf: Tight lie? Lower bounce wedge. Thick rough? Higher bounce SW or LW.
- Green Conditions: Fast/receptive? Higher loft for spin. Firm/slow? Lower loft for roll.
- Pin Location: Back pin? Favor carry. Front pin? Emphasize roll.
Technique Tips for Success
Club choice is only half the battle. Pair it with solid fundamentals:
- Setup: Ball back in stance, weight forward (60% on lead side), hands ahead of ball for delofting.
- Swing: Short, pendulum-like motion with minimal wrist hinge. Accelerate through impact.
- Practice Drill: Place 3-5 balls at varying distances around a practice green. Chip with different wedges, noting carry/roll ratios to build feel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overclub: Using a club with too much loft or distance for the shot, which can lead to overshooting the green. Stick to the lowest loft that gets the job done.
- Deceleration through impact, causing fat or thin shots.
- Ignoring bounce—mismatched bounce leads to skulls or chunks.
Key Takeaway
For most greenside chips, start with a sand wedge or pitching wedge and adjust based on lie, distance, and green speed. Mastering club selection through practice will shave strokes off your score, turning three-shot chips into one-putt opportunities. Consistent short game execution is the hallmark of low handicappers.