Chipping · Tip
Uphill Chip? Take Less Loft
Part of our chipping programs for distance control. Build a program with it
An uphill slope adds loft. Your normal wedge pops the ball straight up and comes up short. So take less loft. A pitching wedge or 9-iron works. The slope gives you height. The club gives you distance. Set your shoulders level with the slope. Make a practice swing or two to feel the club glide up the hill. Then chip with the same motion.
Step by step
- Judge the slope.
- Use a pitching wedge or 9-iron.
- Shoulders parallel to the slope.
- Practice gliding up the hill.
- Chip and let the slope add height.
Why it works
When you stand on an uphill slope, the ground tilts the club face back, so the effective loft at impact is higher than the number on the club. A normal wedge then launches the ball high and steep, and it lands short with little forward roll. A less lofted club like a pitching wedge or 9-iron cancels out the added loft, so the ball flies lower and carries farther. Setting your shoulders parallel to the slope lets the club travel along the ground instead of digging into it.
Common mistakes
- You keep your normal wedge and the ball pops up and stops short.Switch to a pitching wedge or 9-iron so the slope supplies the height and the club supplies the distance.
- You lean away from the hill with your shoulders level to the horizon, which makes you hit the ball thin or send it high.Tilt your shoulders so they sit parallel to the slope before you swing.
- You swing down into the hill and the club digs into the ground.Make a practice swing or two and feel the club glide up the slope, then repeat that motion on the shot.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts lower than your usual wedge chip and carries to the hole instead of dropping short.
- Your club brushes the turf and moves up the slope with no deep divot or heavy dig.
- You make clean contact with the ball and the turf, and the ball rolls out after landing.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Pick a gentle slope and a short chip to a large target so you can learn the club change without much risk.
Harder: Try a steeper slope or a longer chip, and pick a landing spot to hit before the ball rolls out.
Common questions
What club should I use for an uphill chip?
Use less loft than normal, such as a pitching wedge or 9-iron. The slope adds loft, so the lower-lofted club gives you a lower flight and more distance.
Why does my ball come up short when chipping uphill?
The slope adds loft to the club face, so the ball goes higher and lands sooner. A more lofted wedge makes this worse, so choose a club with less loft.
