Now that we’ve explored the difference between chip and pitch shots, it’s time to dig deeper into one of the most essential skills for improving your short game: controlling the distance when chipping. If you’ve ever found yourself with the ball near the green, only to over- or under-hit your chip shot, this one’s for you.
Controlling your distance when chipping is all about feel, technique, and understanding how the club, your stance, and your swing all work together to get the ball to land exactly where you want it to. Let’s break it down so you can get a better handle on your chips and shave strokes off your score.
Why Controlling Distance is Important
When you’re chipping, distance control is everything. If you can consistently get the ball close to the hole, you’ll give yourself plenty of chances to save par or even make birdies. Without solid distance control, you may find yourself overshooting the green or leaving the ball far from the pin, making your next shot more challenging.
By learning to control the distance, you’ll:
- Be more accurate with your shots
- Reduce the chances of leaving long putts
- Improve your overall short game consistency
- Have more confidence on and around the green
Factors that Affect Distance Control
Several factors play into how far the ball travels when you chip. Understanding and adjusting for these will help you gain better control over your distance.
The Club You Use
The club you choose for your chip shot will significantly impact the distance. Here’s a quick guide on how different clubs can affect your chip shots:
| Club | Loft | Typical Distance | Use For |
| 7-Iron | 34° | 10–20 yards | Low, rolling chip shot |
| 8-Iron | 37° | 15–25 yards | Medium-height chip shot |
| Pitching Wedge | 44° | 20–30 yards | Higher chip shots with more loft |
| Sand Wedge | 54° | 25–40 yards | Softer, higher chip shots |
| Lob Wedge | 60° | 30–50 yards | Very high, soft landing chip shots |
As a rule of thumb, the higher the loft of the club, the higher the ball will fly and the softer it will land. Lower lofted clubs will produce a lower, more rolling shot. Choose your club based on the lie and the distance to the hole.
The Length of Your Stroke
The length of your backswing directly affects how far the ball will travel. A longer backswing typically results in a greater distance, while a shorter backswing will produce a shorter shot.
Here’s how you can manipulate the length of your stroke for distance control:
- Short Stroke: Use for small chips, where the ball needs to travel a short distance.
- Medium Stroke: Use when you need the ball to cover a moderate distance but not too far.
- Long Stroke: Use for shots that need more distance, such as when the ball is farther off the green.
Your Follow-Through
The follow-through is just as important as the backswing for controlling distance. A more pronounced follow-through typically results in more distance, while a softer, more controlled follow-through will limit the shot’s distance.
Techniques to Improve Distance Control
Now that you understand the factors affecting your chip shot distance, let’s look at some techniques to improve your control.
Practice the Three-Club Method
One of the easiest ways to control your chip shot distance is to practice with different clubs. This method helps you understand how each club reacts to your swing and how you can adjust your stroke length accordingly.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pick three clubs, starting with a low-lofted club (such as a 7-iron) and work up to a higher-lofted club (such as a lob wedge).
- Take shots from the same distance with each club, making sure to maintain the same swing length.
- Notice how far the ball travels with each club. The low-lofted club will go farther, while the higher-lofted clubs will travel shorter distances.
Develop a Consistent Swing Length
One of the most important aspects of controlling your chip shot distance is maintaining a consistent swing length. Practice with a metronome or a visual reference, such as swinging to the height of your knees or waist, to develop consistency in your chip shots.
- Short Swing: Keep your follow-through small and compact for shorter distances.
- Medium Swing: A medium-length swing will give you a good distance for medium shots (about 20-30 yards).
- Longer Swing: For longer shots, extend your backswing and follow-through to generate more power and distance.
Experiment with Tempo
Tempo plays a huge role in distance control. A slower tempo generally leads to more accurate shots, while a fast, jerky tempo can result in inconsistencies. Practice hitting chips with different tempos to find a rhythm that gives you the best results.
Try this drill:
- Take 5-10 chips with a slow, deliberate tempo.
- Then take another 5-10 chips with a faster tempo.
- See which one gives you better distance control and stick with it.
The Clock Drill for Distance Control
The “Clock Drill” is a fantastic practice exercise for developing better distance control with your chip shots. This drill helps you get used to different swing lengths and the resulting distances.
Here’s how to do it:
- Place a golf ball on the ground and imagine a clock face around it.
- Take a chip shot at the “12 o’clock” position (a full swing with a short club like a 7-iron).
- Gradually move the clock hands to 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, making smaller swings as you go.
- Each position will teach you how to adjust your swing length for varying distances.
The “Ladder Drill” for Consistency
This drill is great for practicing multiple distances and is especially effective for controlling distance over different green contours.
Here’s how it works:
- Set up several markers (cones or tees) at different distances from the hole (e.g., 5, 10, 15, and 20 feet).
- Take chip shots at each marker, adjusting your swing length to ensure you can land the ball as close as possible to the markers.
- The more consistent you become with this drill, the better you’ll be at controlling your chip shots.
Key Tips for Better Distance Control
- Focus on feel: Distance control is all about developing a feel for the shot. Pay attention to how your body and swing react to different distances and clubs.
- Keep it simple: The simpler your technique, the more consistent your results will be. Focus on solid contact and maintaining a controlled tempo.
- Practice regularly: Consistent practice is the key to mastering distance control. The more you practice, the better your touch will become around the greens.
Conclusion
Mastering distance control when chipping is crucial for lowering your scores and improving your short game. By choosing the right club, adjusting your swing length, and practicing drills that help you build consistency, you’ll find yourself getting closer to the hole and making more up-and-downs.
Ready to tackle your next short-game challenge? Stay tuned, because in our next post, we’re going to cover how to properly tee up the ball for better accuracy and consistency.
