| Having precision in the short game is the key to low | | | | more accurate your chip shots are, the less accurate |
| scoring in golf. If you can land the ball within a close | | | | your putting needs to be. With the chip, you will set |
| distance of the hole from inside 120 yards, than | | | | up almost as if you are pitching, except your feet will |
| consistent pars and birdies are easily attainable. This is | | | | be closer together. They should be less than shoulder |
| where accurate pitching and chipping comes in. | | | | width apart, but far enough apart that you have |
| Pitching | | | | proper balance. Again, open your stance so your feet |
| Anytime a shot is about 40 to 120 yards from the | | | | are positioned as if you are aiming to the left of the |
| green, you will most likely be pitching. As is apparent, | | | | target. Make sure that the clubface is facing the |
| the best club to use from this range is the pitching | | | | target. The ball will again be relatively back in your |
| wedge. When pitching, set up the same as if you are | | | | stance. The key to chipping is hitting down on the ball |
| hitting an iron shot, except when pitching you will | | | | with a solid stroke. Don't decelerate on the |
| have an open stance. This means positioning your | | | | downswing. When chipping, the backswing will be |
| feet as if you were aiming slightly to the left of the | | | | much shorter than the pitch shot, but again, in order |
| target (if you are right handed), but keep the | | | | to vary the distance the ball is hit, vary the length of |
| clubface facing the target. Line up so that the ball is | | | | your backswing. |
| slightly back in your stance compared to a normal | | | | Practice pitching, and chipping at a driving range and |
| iron shot. In order to vary your distance with | | | | on a practice green. Obviously, you will be aiming to |
| pitching, vary the length of your backswing. Bring the | | | | get the ball within a very close distance to the hole. |
| club farther back for longer shots, and vice versa for | | | | In order to become more accurate with pitching and |
| shorter shots. Just like with any normal iron shot, be | | | | chipping, you must get a feel for the distance you |
| sure to hit down on the ball; do not attempt to | | | | are hitting. This can only be accomplished with a lot |
| scoop it up into the air. | | | | of practice. |
| Chipping | | | | Sources: |
| Anytime you chip the ball, it should land within an | | | | Newell, Steve. The Golf Instruction Manual. New York: |
| easily attainable putting distance from the hole. The | | | | Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc., 2001. |