Chipping · Drill
Let Your Weight Move on Short Shots Too
Part of our chipping programs for fat or chunked, chip yips. Build a program with it
Many golfers set their weight forward on short shots and freeze it there. Then they push off the lead foot and end up falling back. A small, natural weight shift works better. Even on a pitch, let a little pressure go into your trail foot going back. Then move it forward so your body ends up over or ahead of the ball. To feel it, pause at the top of a short swing. Feel the pressure in your trail foot. Then swing through and let it move forward.
The drill
- Narrow your stance.
- Let a little pressure go to your trail foot.
- Pause at the top.
- Swing through and move pressure forward.
- Finish with your body over the ball.
Why it works
A frozen weight position makes you hold the body still and flip the hands to find the ball. A small shift back and then forward lets the club swing down and through on a steady path. It also moves the low point of the swing forward, so the club meets the ball first and then the turf. Ending over or ahead of the ball keeps you from falling back and scooping.
Common mistakes
- You shift too much and sway your hips sideways.Keep the move small, so only a little pressure reaches the trail foot and your head stays steady.
- You hold your weight on the lead foot and push off it at the start of the downswing.Let the pressure move to the trail foot going back, then let it flow forward as you swing through.
- You pause at the top, then jerk the club down with your hands.Let the pause be a check only, then start the downswing by moving pressure toward the lead foot.
How you'll know it's working
- You feel pressure in your trail foot at the pause, and your lead foot at the finish.
- The club strikes the ball first, then brushes the turf just ahead of it.
- You finish with your chest over or ahead of the ball, not leaning back.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use a short, easy swing with a lofted club on flat ground, and pause longer at the top until you can feel the pressure clearly.
Harder: Remove the pause and keep the same shift in one smooth motion, then try it from rough or a slight downslope.
Common questions
Should my weight be forward when chipping?
You can set up with a little more weight on the lead foot. It should still move a little back and then forward during the swing, so you do not freeze or fall back.
Why do I hit chips thin or fat when I stay stiff?
A stiff body with no weight shift often makes you flip the hands to rescue the contact. That moves the low point of the swing around, so the club hits the ball or the ground in the wrong place.
