In our previous post, we covered How to Read Greens and Understand the Break, exploring key strategies to analyze slopes, grain, and speed for better-putting accuracy.
Alright, now that you’re improving your putting game, let’s dive into one of the most critical aspects of the short game understanding the difference between a chip shot and a pitch shot. While both shots are played close to the green, they require different techniques and understanding. So, let’s break them down and find out how each one works.
What is a Chip Shot?
A chip shot is a low, controlled shot typically played from just off the green. The goal is to get the ball to roll as much as possible after it lands, covering a short distance. This shot is generally used when the flag is within a short distance, and there’s minimal obstruction between you and the hole.
When to Use a Chip Shot
- The ball is just off the green (fringe).
- You have a clear path to the hole, and there are no major obstacles like bunkers.
- The flag is within a short distance, and you want to keep the ball low and rolling.
How to Play a Chip Shot
Choose the Right Club: The most common clubs for a chip shot are a 7-iron, 8-iron, or pitching wedge. The choice depends on the lie and the distance you want to cover.
Set Up Properly:
- Stand with your feet close together and your weight favoring the front foot.
- Position the ball slightly back in your stance (towards your back foot).
- Keep your hands ahead of the ball to ensure a clean strike.
The Swing:
- The chip shot is more like a putting motion than a full swing. Focus on keeping your hands stable and using a short, controlled motion.
- Don’t try to scoop the ball. Instead, let the club’s loft lift the ball as you make a clean contact.
Key Points to Remember for Chipping
- Low trajectory: The ball should travel low and roll a lot.
- Minimal airtime: The goal is to minimize the time the ball spends in the air.
- Controlled distance: The chip shot is all about touch and control, so practice different distances.
What is a Pitch Shot?
A pitch shot is a higher, softer shot played from a greater distance than a chip shot. The goal with a pitch shot is to get the ball in the air and land it softly on the green, allowing it to stop or roll very little after it lands. Pitch shots are used when you have more distance to cover or when you need to clear an obstacle (like a bunker or a mound) near the green.
When to Use a Pitch Shot
- The ball is farther from the green, typically 20–50 yards away.
- You need to clear an obstacle, such as a bunker or a mound.
- You want the ball to land softly with minimal roll.
How to Play a Pitch Shot
Choose the Right Club:
- A pitching wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge are typically used for pitch shots.
- The more loft the club has, the higher the ball will go.
Set Up Properly:
- Your feet should be slightly wider apart than for a chip shot.
- Position the ball more toward the center of your stance.
- Open up the stance a little to allow for a more upward swing.
The Swing:
- In contrast to the chip shot, the pitch shot requires more of a full swing, with a focus on lifting the ball into the air.
- Use your hands and wrists to create loft during the swing, allowing the club to make contact underneath the ball.
Key Points to Remember for Pitching:
- Higher trajectory: The ball should get airborne quickly and land softly.
- More airtime: Unlike the chip shot, the pitch shot spends more time in the air.
- Greater control over distance: Pitch shots require more practice to judge distance and spin, so take time to get the feel of each club.
How Do You Choose Between a Chip Shot and a Pitch Shot?
Knowing when to use each shot comes with experience, but here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
| Shot Type | When to Use It | Distance | Ball Flight | Goal |
| Chip Shot | When the ball is near the green, and you need to keep it low and roll it toward the hole | 0–20 yards | Low, rolling | Minimal airtime, lots of roll |
| Pitch Shot | When you need to clear an obstacle or hit a higher shot with less roll | 20–50 yards | High, soft landing | Control loft and stop quickly on the green |
As you can see, the main difference lies in the distance, trajectory, and desired outcome of the shot. Chip shots are used for shorter, lower trajectories with lots of roll, while pitch shots are used for longer, higher shots that land softly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s face it—chipping and pitching can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the game. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
| Mistake | How to Fix It |
| Using the wrong club | Choose the right club based on the distance and required trajectory. |
| Chopping at the ball | Focus on a smooth, controlled swing rather than a hard chop. |
| Not committing to the shot | Be decisive with your shot, and don’t second-guess yourself mid-swing. |
| Too much wrist action | Keep your hands steady, and avoid excessive wrist movement during the swing. |
| Poor follow-through | Follow through fully to ensure proper distance and control. |
Practice Drills for Chipping and Pitching
To truly master these shots, you’ll need to practice regularly. Here are a few drills you can try:
Chip Shot Drill
- Place a towel or a target about 5–10 feet from the fringe of the green.
- Practice chipping toward the target, focusing on getting the ball to roll and land near the target.
- Vary the distances and experiment with different clubs to develop a feel for the shot.
Pitch Shot Drill
- Stand about 20–30 yards from the hole with an open stance.
- Practice hitting pitch shots using a lob wedge or sand wedge, aiming for a soft landing.
- Focus on hitting the ball high and allowing it to land with minimal roll.
Conclusion
Both chip shots and pitch shots are crucial parts of your short game, and understanding when and how to use each one will help you become a better golfer. While the chip shot emphasizes low, controlled rolling, the pitch shot is all about loft, softness, and minimizing roll. The key to success is practicing regularly, developing feel, and learning when each shot is needed.
In our next post, we’ll explore How Do I Control Distance When Chipping?
