The CSGA Links Volume 4 Issue 5 September, 2016 | Page 8

INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTION Links Lessons By George Connor, PGA Do’s and Dont’s: The Basic Chipping Technique C hipping the golf ball from near the green should be an easy task. From the outside it looks easy! Despite the simplistic look, there are many players that struggle to become adept at this shot. I have seen some very good players go through periods where they are frankly afraid of the shot. Just earlier this year, a prominent player on the PGA Tour took a few weeks off because he had the chipping yips. Why is it so hard? Frankly, there are still a lot of golfers attempting to use a faulty set-up and that don’t truly understand how to use the iron or wedge to produce the shot they are looking for. Sadly, the simple chipping technique has been taught in such a way that it makes it harder than it has to be. How were you taught to chip? Open stance, ball back in your stance, no wrist hinge. These are all common phrases in the world of chipping and each of them makes it less likely that you will be successful. 8 | CSGA Links // September, 2016 www.csgalinks.org