Choosing the Right Club for Chipping Around the Greens
As Riley "The Rotator," I specialize in unleashing explosive power through rotary swing mechanics, but even the longest bombers need a dialed-in short game to score. Chipping around the greens demands precision, control, and the right club selection to match the shot's requirements. The key is selecting based on distance to the hole, lie of the ball, green firmness, and pin position. Wedges dominate here due to their high lofts, which produce lower trajectories, more spin, and softer landings.
Primary Clubs for Chipping
- Pitching Wedge (PW): Loft typically 44-48°. Ideal for longer chips (10-30 yards) over firmer greens or when you need a lower, running shot. Use it when the ball is on a good lie and you want roll-out after landing.
- Gap/Approach Wedge (GW/AW): Loft 50-54°. Perfect for medium chips (5-15 yards) filling the yardage gap between PW and SW. Offers versatility for slightly elevated shots with moderate spin.
- Sand Wedge (SW): Loft 54-58°. The go-to for most chips around the green, especially from light rough, tight lies, or when needing more loft and spin to stop the ball quickly. Excellent for standard 3-10 yard chips.
- Lob Wedge (LW): Loft 58-64°. Reserved for high, soft flops over hazards or when the pin is close with little green to work with. High risk, high reward—generates maximum spin but requires clean contact.
Factors to Consider for Club Selection
- Distance and Trajectory: Shorter distance or high obstacles? Go higher loft (SW or LW). Longer chip with run? Drop to PW.
- Lie and Turf Interaction: Tight fairway lie favors lower loft (PW/GW) for clean strikes. Fringe or rough? Higher loft (SW/LW) glides better.
- Green Conditions: Firm and fast? Lower loft for roll. Soft and slow? Higher loft for check.
- Wind and Pin Location: Headwind or tucked pin? Add loft to pop it up. Downhill chip? Deloft a higher-lofted club slightly.
Technique Tips for Rotary Swing Consistency
Even in chipping, maintain rotary principles: Keep your lower body stable with a slight hip rotation to initiate the motion, avoiding arm-dominant swings. Use a narrow stance, weight forward (60/40), and accelerate through impact like a mini-version of your full rotary power sequence. Practice the "clock drill"—backswing to 8 o'clock, through to 2 o'clock—for rhythmic tempo.
Key Takeaway: Start with your sand wedge for 70% of chips as it's the most versatile, then adjust based on variables. Master club gapping in your bag (e.g., PW at 46°, GW at 52°, SW at 56°, LW at 60°) to eliminate guesswork. Consistent selection paired with solid contact turns three-putts into tap-ins, saving strokes where it counts.