Just a Chip Away

by Mike Taylor, Golf Instructor

Summer is here, so it’s time to knock any remaining dust off of your golf clubs and improve your game. This month we’re talking about chipping.

There are a few basic reasons that most golfers struggle with chipping the ball close to the hole.

The first would be club selection. Many golfers chip with only one club. It may be your favorite wedge. You know, the one you love so much you give it a name. While that wedge might be your favorite club, it may not be the best selection for a particular shot.

Second, would be the inability to land the ball in the area on the green that you have visualized. Many of us see the spot we want to land the ball and visualize that ball landing on that spot, releasing with a nice little end over end roll. Then hearing the ball rattling around in the bottom of the cup! YES! That’s my favorite sound in golf. But when we look up, often we find the ball has come up so short of our spot that we never get to hear our favorite sound.

The last would be failure to control the trajectory of the ball. Good chippers of the golf ball can control the trajectory. By learning to control the trajectory, they are then able to control distance.

If chipping is a weak spot in your game, e-mail me at Mikegolfpro@comcast.net to get a link to watch video of a chipping drill I’ve prepared that will teach you how to chip with more clubs, hit your spot ,and control your trajectory. Then you can hear my favorite sound in golf. YES!

Mike Taylor has been teaching golf since 1989. Mike has coached PGA TOUR players to 10 victories on the PGA TOUR. Past students include Lucas Glover, Kyle Stanley, Boo Weekley, Harris English, Hudson Swafford and Brian Harmon among others. He has also been named Georgia Section, Eastern Chapter PGA Teacher of the year. Mike enjoys teaching players of all abilities. For private lesson information, contact him directly at 912.222.7795.

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