The chip and run shot

How to play the chip and run shot?

Clubface alignment is of paramount importance, as any deviance here affects any chance of good movement through the shot.

DON’T just walk in and set-up without first getting a clear line of sight from where your ball lies to the target area. The biggest mistake that I see most players make in aiming the clubface down the target line, is that they set up closed with the body and clubface aiming to the right of the target. This inevitably makes the player instinctively pull the body and club across the ball to recover, causing thin and fat shots.

DO get a definite target line from where the ball lies, to the area where you intend to hit the ball into. This will vary depending on the terrain you are playing across. Make sure to place and aim the clubface accurately down your intended line, with the stance line parallel left or slightly open to this.

DON’T set up with a full width stance with the ball placed at a regular distance to that of a full shot.

DO set up with a stance that is more narrow around hip width, where the ball is closer to the body and ideally just under or slightly outside the eye line as you look down to the ball.

DON’T place the hands too far forward ahead of the front leg.

DO set the hands so that the back of the forward hand is level with the middle of the forward leg.

DON’T have the bodyweight on the feet balanced evenly at a 50/50 ratio.

DO have the bodyweight favour the front leg at a 70/30 ratio, maintaining this ratio throughout the swing movement.

DON’T have the trailing shoulder set too low as this will cause you to hit the ground before the ball or cause you to top the ball.

DO set the trailing shoulder as high as possible at address. This will help you to strike the ball cleanly. Even though the hand on this side is below the forward hand, make a concerted effort to get this shoulder as high as possible at address.

DON’T let the elbows separate or get further away from each other on the swing itself.

DO maintain your elbow positions set at address and throughout the swing. This will help the club, hands, arms and shoulders work as one simple unit.

DON’T get too still in the lower body. The hips need to be able to move a little! Pivoting or rotation should occur mainly around the forward hip. It is this pivoting motion, up through the front foot and into the forward hip that should control the chipping motion.

In summary:

TAKE A DEAD AIM WITH THE CLUBFACE AND SET THE STANCE CORRECTLY

SET THE BALL CLOSER TO THE BODY AND SET IN THE STANCE SO THAT IT IS NATURAL FOR THE HANDS TO SET CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT LEG

GET THE BODYWEIGHT SET FORWARD AND THE BACK SHOULDER SET HIGH TO HIT CLEAN DOWNWARD CHIP SHOTS

USE THE UPPER BODY AS ONE UNIT THAT IS INITIATED BY THE MOTION OF THE LOWER BODY.

Michael Langford

Golf Performance Ireland

Roe Park Resort