Chip like a Pro: 5 Essential Chipping Drills to Improve your Short Game

Mastering your short game is crucial to lowering your scores. Chipping drills in particular, can save you strokes and turn potential bogeys into pars. In this article, I’ll share five essential drills that will help you chip like a pro and elevate your short game to new heights.

1. The Clock Face Drill

Purpose: Improve distance control and feel

Setup:

• Place a bucket or target in the center of a practice green.
• Set golf balls at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions around the target, each at different distances.

Execution:

• Start at the 3 o’clock position and chip to the target.
• Move clockwise, chipping from each position.
• Focus on adjusting your stroke length for different distances while maintaining a consistent tempo.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to how the ball reacts on the green from different distances and lies. This will help you develop a better feel for various chip shots.

2. The Ladder Drill

Purpose: Chip drill to enhance trajectory control and landing spot accuracy

Setup:

• Place alignment sticks or clubs on the ground to create “rungs” at 3-foot intervals.
• Start about 10 yards from the first rung.

Execution:

• Chip balls, aiming to land them in each section of the “ladder.”
• Progress from the closest section to the farthest.
• Experiment with different clubs to achieve various trajectories.

Pro Tip: This chipping drills helps you visualize and execute different trajectories, essential for navigating obstacles around the green.

3. The One-Handed Chip Drill

Purpose: Improve wrist hinge and release

Setup:

• Choose a spot near the practice green with a variety of lies.
• Use your dominant hand only.

Execution:

• Chip balls using only your dominant hand on the club.
• Focus on hinging your wrist on the backswing and releasing through impact.
• Gradually increase the distance of your chips as you gain confidence.

Pro Tip: This drill promotes a proper wrist action and helps eliminate the temptation to “scoop” the ball, a common amateur mistake.

4. The Towel Drill

Purpose: Promote clean contact and eliminate fat chips

Setup:

• Place a small towel on the ground, about 2 inches behind your ball.
• Position yourself for a standard chip shot.

Execution:

• Practice chipping without touching the towel on your downswing.
• Focus on striking the ball first, then the turf.
• If you hit the towel, you’re striking too far behind the ball.

Pro Tip: This drill helps you develop a descending blow, crucial for clean contact and consistent chipping.

5. The 3-2-1 Drill

Purpose: Improve consistency and pressure performance

Setup:

• Choose three different chipping stations around the practice green.
• Place a target (or use the hole) for each station.

Execution:

• At the first station, hit three chips, aiming to get all three within 3 feet of the target.
• Move to the second station and chip two balls, both must be within 3 feet.
• At the final station, you have one chance to chip within 3 feet.

Pro Tip: This drill simulates on-course pressure and helps you develop a consistent, repeatable chipping motion.

Conclusion:

Incorporating these five chipping drills into your practice routine will significantly improve your chipping skills. Remember, consistency is key – aim to practice these drills for at least 15-20 minutes during each practice session. As you progress, you’ll notice improved distance control, better contact, and more confidence in your short game.  Get these Practice Balls. Also check out this practice chipping net

Don’t be discouraged if you struggle at first; even pros constantly work on their chipping. With patience and dedicated practice, you’ll soon be chipping like a pro and shaving strokes off your score.

Happy chipping, and here’s to lower scores on the course!