LOCKDOWN TIPS #1

HOW TO CHIP
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FROM TIGHT LIES

This is often a tough time of the year for golfers when they transition from soft winter ground conditions to firmer spring/summer conditions. Some golf courses may have enforced a 'winter mat' rule whereby golfers would play through winter using a small piece of astro turf to play from as opposed to the fairways. This ultimately offers you the perfect lie to play from throughout winter. As soon as the golfer comes to play from a drier/firm lie, this is where I often see problems occur with striking their chip shots. 

To help i've produced a short video detailing how to play the chip shot from a tight/bare lie, and i've provided you with two techniques to choose from. 

Technique 1: Arguably the more difficult option, this shot will produce the softest flight with the most stopping power. Being able to play this style of chip shot is a great option to have in your locker. The setup to this shot is fairly standard for a chip shot. Narrow stance, choke down, 50/50 weight distribution, and ball position in the middle of the feet. However, both techniques will concentrate on ground interaction in order to pull them off. The first technique the idea is to just brush the top of the turf, utilising the bounce of the golf club. In order to help produce that we need to pay attention to the shaft lean we produce at address. In this instance the shaft should not have any forward lean. This will make for a slightly shallower angle of attack, and if we also try to keep as much loft on the clubface as possible through the hit, we will create nice crisp strikes and a higher spinning chips that will settle down sooner. 

Technique 2: Set up remains standard as with technique 1, however with this one we're going to lean the shaft forwards, this in turn should reduce the dynamic loft,  and therefore the ball will come out lower and running. We want to utilise the leading edge of the club more with this technique. We don't want to brush the top of the turf this time, we want to get that club in to the ground after the ball. This technique is particularly helpful for golfers that are 'back foot scoopers' as it will really steepen your angle of attack and get ball turf contact more often. 

Give both techniques a go, and look forward to revitalise your chipping.