Chipping · Tip
A Still Head and Three More Chipping Keys
Part of our chipping programs for thin or bladed. Build a program with it
"Keep your head down" isn't quite right. Keep your head still. Many golfers mix these up. Then add three things. Play the ball off the big toe of your back foot. That helps you strike down. Strike down on the ball. Don't try to lift it. And keep the club moving past impact. Speed up, don't quit.
Step by step
- Keep your head still.
- Ball off your back big toe.
- Strike down.
- Don't try to lift it.
- Accelerate through.
Why it works
A still head keeps the low point of your swing in a steady place, so the club meets the ball and then the turf in the same spot each time. Playing the ball back, off the big toe of your back foot, puts the ball ahead of nothing and lets the club still be moving down at contact. Striking down compresses the ball against the face and lets the loft do the lifting. Accelerating through keeps the club from stalling and flipping, which is a common cause of thin shots.
Common mistakes
- You lock your chin to your chest and stop your shoulders from turning.Let your head stay quiet while your shoulders and arms swing, and keep your eyes on the ball without forcing a stiff neck.
- You try to scoop the ball into the air with your hands.Trust the loft on the club, hit down, and let the ball climb the face on its own.
- You slow the club down as it nears the ball and then flip your wrists.Make a backswing shorter than your follow-through feels, and keep the club speeding up until after the ball is gone.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball comes off low, then lands and rolls out with the same pattern each time.
- You hear and feel a clean pinch of ball first, then turf, with no thin skip across the green.
- Your follow-through is at least as long as your backswing, and your head is still at the moment the ball leaves.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use a short chip to a target only a few paces away, with a lofted club and a simple, short swing.
Harder: Chip from a tighter lie or a slight downslope, and try to land the ball on a small spot such as a towel or a tee-marked area.
Common questions
Should I keep my head down when chipping?
Not exactly. Keep your head still instead, so your eyes stay steady and the club bottoms out in the same place each time.
Why do I keep hitting thin chips?
Thin chips usually come from trying to lift the ball, slowing the club down, or moving your head and body up through impact. Play the ball back, strike down, and keep the club accelerating.
