Do I use my wrists or keep them firm during a chip shot?

Mastering Wrist Action for Chip Shots: Firm vs. Hinged

As Riley "The Rotator," I specialize in unleashing power through explosive body rotation in the full swing, but precision around the greens demands a different approach. Chip shots are all about control and consistency, where wrist action plays a pivotal role in shot selection and execution. The key is matching your wrist usage to the specific chip: keep them firm and quiet for low, running shots, and allow controlled hinging only for higher, softer landings.

Core Principles of Chip Shot Wrist Mechanics

• Firm Wrists for Chip-and-Run Shots: This is the foundation of most chip shots. A chip-and-run is a low-running shot played around the greens where the ball spends more time on the ground than in the air. Maintain firm wrists throughout to create a putting-like stroke with the wedges. Avoid any hinging or unhinging—your arms and shoulders rock as a unit, promoting forward shaft lean and a descending blow for clean contact and roll-out.
• Hinged Wrists for Flip Shots: Reserve wrist action for specialized scenarios like a flip shot, usually played with a wedge. This involves a wristy swing to hit the ball a short distance with significant height, ideal over bunkers or hazards. Here, hinge your wrists early in the backswing for loft, then release aggressively—but this demands precise timing to avoid fat or thin contact.
• General Rule: For 80% of chips (standard lies, firm greens), prioritize firm wrists. Excessive wristiness leads to inconsistency, skulling, or chunking, robbing you of up-and-down reliability.

Proper Setup and Execution Techniques

1. Grip and Choke Down: A proper grip is essential for solid ball striking. Choke down on the shaft for greater control—this shortens the swing arc and stabilizes the wrists naturally. Use a lighter grip pressure (scale of 4-5 out of 10) to avoid tension.
2. Stance and Ball Position: Narrow stance, weight favoring the front foot (60-40), ball back in stance for compression. Hands ahead of the ball at address to deloft the club.
3. Swing Motion: Short backswing with minimal wrist hinge. Accelerate through impact, letting the club's loft dictate trajectory. Finish with hands leading the clubhead—never flip or scoop.
4. Common Faults to Avoid: A cupped wrist at the top promotes an open face; counteract with neutral to slightly bowed lead wrist for square contact.

Drills to Dial In Wrist Control

• Towel Under Arms Drill: Tuck a towel under both armpits and chip—firm wrists prevent arm separation, enforcing body unity.
• One-Handed Chipping: Chip with trail hand only to feel passive wrists; switch to lead hand for forward shaft lean.
• Split-Grip Feel: Separate hands on the grip during practice swings to isolate quiet wrists from body motion.

In summary, default to firm wrists for reliable chip-and-run shots that save pars efficiently, saving hinged action for high-flip scenarios only. This disciplined approach minimizes left-side misses from over-rotation creeping into your short game, channeling rotary swing principles of body control into scoring precision. Master these mechanics, and you'll transform bogey holes into birdie opportunities through consistent green proximity.