What’s the basic setup and technique for a standard chip?

Understanding the Standard Chip Shot

As Riley "The Rotator," I specialize in unleashing power through explosive body rotation, but mastering the short game like the standard chip is essential for scoring. A standard chip is a low-trajectory shot played around the greens, emphasizing control and precision. It features more roll than carry, with the ball spending most of its time on the ground after landing softly near the hole. This shot prioritizes a stable base to support your rotary swing foundation, keeping the body quiet while the arms and hands deliver a crisp strike.

Basic Setup for the Standard Chip

Proper setup creates a pendulum-like motion for consistent contact. Position yourself for a descending blow with minimal body rotation, ensuring the club's loft does the work.

• Stance: Narrow your feet to slightly inside shoulder width for balance. Use a slightly open stance (lead foot pulled back from the target line) to promote an inside path and promote roll.
• Ball Position: Play the ball back in your stance, just off the inside of your trail heel, to encourage a crisp, descending strike.
• Weight Distribution: Favor your lead side with 60-70% of your weight forward. This mirrors a stable rotary base but keeps hips quiet.
• Hands and Grip: Position hands ahead of the ball, creating shaft lean. Use a lighter grip pressure (like a 4-5 out of 10) for feel, with the handle in your fingers—not palms—for control.
• Club Selection: Choose a pitching or gap wedge (48-54 degrees loft) for standard lies. For a true chip-and-run, opt for a 56-60 degree wedge only if needing more carry over obstacles.
• Alignment: Aim the clubface at the target, but align your body slightly left (for right-handers) to match the open stance.

Technique Execution: Step-by-Step

Execute the chip with a one-piece takeaway and accelerating hands through impact. Keep your lower body stable to channel any subtle rotation into precision.

1. Backswing: Take a short, controlled backswing using your shoulders and arms in unison—no wrist hinge. Limit to hip height, maintaining the triangle formed by your arms and chest. Feel torque similar to loading your rotary swing but scaled down.
2. Downswing Transition: Let gravity drop the club into the slot. Keep your weight forward and hips stable—avoid dipping or swaying, which kills rotary sequencing.
3. Impact: Strike down on the ball with hands leading the clubhead. The low point of the swing arc should be after the ball for clean turf interaction. Accelerate through for a divot starting just beyond the ball.
4. Follow-Through: Match the backswing length, releasing naturally. Your body stays centered, with chest over the ball at finish.

Key Drill: Practice the "clock drill"—backswing to 9 o'clock, through to 3 o'clock—for rhythm. Or use the step drill adapted for chips: feet together at address, slight step toward target on downswing to feel stable hip drive without over-rotation.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

• Chunking (Fat Shot): Caused by hanging back or early extension. Fix: Drill weight forward and hands ahead at setup.
• Thinning or Skulling: From flipping wrists or weight shift back. Fix: Focus on shoulder turn over wrist action.
• Over-Rotation: Rotary players beware—excessive hip drive turns chips into pulls. Fix: Restrict hips to 45 degrees while turning shoulders 90 degrees in drills.
• Poor Distance Control: Vary backswing length like a pendulum. Practice from 10-30 yards with landing spots.

Key Takeaway: Building Consistency

The standard chip demands a locked-in setup with forward shaft lean and a stable, minimally rotational body to deliver predictable roll. Master this by hitting 50 chips daily, focusing on sweet-spot contact and weight stability. Integrate it into your rotary swing training for total game dominance—precision around the greens saves strokes while your explosive drives rack up birdies. Commit to these fundamentals, and you'll get up-and-down like a pro.