Chipping · Tip
Use a 7-Iron to Run It Up
Part of our chipping programs for thin or bladed, distance control. Build a program with it
Big greens with room to roll? Leave the wedge in the bag. Use a mid-iron, around a 7. Choke down on the grip. Narrow your stance. Keep your wrists quiet. You want the ball to come off with a little topspin and roll. Think of it as a long putt. It's great on windy days too. If you're unsure, roll it rather than fly it.
Step by step
- Use a mid-iron.
- Choke down.
- Narrow your stance.
- Keep your wrists quiet.
- Stroke it like a long putt.
Why it works
A mid-iron has less loft than a wedge, so the ball leaves low and lands softly on the green, then rolls like a putt. Choking down and narrowing your stance shortens the swing and gives you better control of where the clubhead strikes the ball. Quiet wrists keep the loft steady through impact, so distance depends on the size of your stroke rather than on timing.
Common mistakes
- You flick your wrists at the ball to lift it.Keep your wrists firm and let the loft of the club do the work, as in a putting stroke.
- You grip at the end of the handle and stand wide.Choke down to the steel or the bottom of the grip and bring your feet close together for a compact stroke.
- You pick a landing spot too far from the edge and the ball flies too far.Pick a landing spot just onto the green and let the ball roll the rest of the way.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts low, lands near your chosen spot on the green, and then rolls out toward the hole.
- You make clean contact with the ball first and no divot, or only a faint brush on the grass.
- Your wrists look and feel unchanged from setup to finish, and the stroke feels like a long putt.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a short, flat lie with a wide open green and no hazards between you and the hole.
Harder: Chip over slightly longer grass or a gentle slope and try to stop the ball inside a three-foot circle around the hole.
Common questions
When should I chip with a 7-iron instead of a wedge?
Use it when you have plenty of green to work with and no rough or obstacle between you and the putting surface. The low shot rolls out predictably, so it suits firm greens and windy days.
How far will a 7-iron chip roll compared with a wedge?
It rolls much farther than it flies, because the lower loft sends the ball forward rather than up. Test a few shots on the practice green to learn the carry-to-roll ratio for your own stroke.
