Virginia Golfer September / October 2014 | Page 20

Your Game

Hitting chip shots close starts with
club selection. Select a club that limits
the risk element, preferably a flat-faced
iron that will get the ball rolling.

WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
One of the keys to hitting solid chip shots
starts with club selection. Many mid- to
high-handicap golfers select a club with too
much loft when playing short shots around
the green. In doing so, they tend to have
inconsistent results—the ball either lands
way short of the target or, in an effort to get
the ball to the hole, the ball flies too far and
past the flagstick or over the green.
I like to see players select a low-lofted
wedge or flat-faced club to get the ball on
the ground as soon as possible. Play the

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ball back in your stance with your hands
and weight slightly forward to promote
a descending blow to get the ball on the
ground and moving toward your target like a
putt. You want to hit the shot with a motion
that mirrors a putting stroke. Keep the club
accelerating through the ball and hold your
finish position for better distance control.
Co-author Jay Woodson has won the State Open
for three consecutive years (2012-14). Co-author
Andrew Blair is editor of Virginia Golfer.

VIRGINIA GOLFER | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

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