Chipping Fundamentals Guide: Master the Short Game with Clean, Confident Chips

Chipping in golf is part of that short game magic that can really make or break your score. It’s all about those short, precise strokes to get the ball rolling toward the hole from close to the green. Think of it like this: pitching is more of a lofted shot, while chipping rolls the ball along the green more.

Now, it might seem small, but chipping is super important. You usually pull it out of your bag (literally) when you’re close enough to the green that a full swing isn’t needed, but far enough away that a putt won’t do. It’s that sweet spot for finesse and control.

So why does chipping matter so much? Well, getting the ball close to the hole with a good chip means fewer putts, and fewer putts mean a lower score. It can be a game changer, especially when you’re under pressure to make par or better. And the golf viking is back once more, to help all you viking golfers out there accomplish just that.

Understanding when and how to chip doesn’t just improve your game; it transforms the way you handle those tricky situations like uneven lies or tightly mown grass around the greens. Once you get a grip on this part of your game, it boosts your confidence across every round.

Chipping is one of the most misunderstood—and most important—skills in golf. You can hit the ball 300 yards off the tee, but if you can’t chip it close, your score will always suffer.

The good news?

Chipping is not complicated. It’s a simple, repeatable motion based on solid fundamentals.

In this complete golf vikings’ chipping fundamentals guide, you’ll learn:

The correct setup for consistent contact

How to choose the right club for every chip

Proper ball position, weight distribution, and stance

The ideal chipping motion (and what to avoid)

How to control distance and trajectory

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Simple drills to build confidence fast

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer trying to get sharper around the greens, this guide will give you a rock-solid foundation to start saving strokes immediately.

If you want to get to work on every part of your short game, check out my Short Game Mastery Guide.

What Is a Chip Shot? (And When Should You Use It?)

A chip shot is a short, low-trajectory shot played from just off the green, designed to get the ball on the putting surface quickly and let it roll like a putt.

You should use a chip when:

You are close to the green

You have plenty of green to work with

There are no major obstacles (like bunkers) in the way

You want a predictable roll-out

Think of chipping as a long putt with a lofted club.

Setting Up for Success: Essential Pre-Shot Techniques

Getting your setup right is the foundation for any killer chip shot. Everything starts with how you stand, holding steady in a stance that gives you balance and control. A little open stance, with your feet slightly apart, does wonders for your chipping game.

Next, think about your club choice. A good chunk of players lean towards a pitching wedge or a 9-iron, but it really depends on your personal style and comfort. Powerful tool? Yep, but it’s all about what feels right in your hands.

Speaking of hands, grip matters. Keep it light, yet firm enough to keep control. Imagine shaking hands with someone—confident, but not like you’re squeezing lemons. That’s the feel you’re going for to keep a smooth, controlled swing.

Alignment’s another key factor. Your body should be aimed slightly left of your target if you’re a right-handed golfer. That’ll help guide the ball towards that tiny, cup-sized space you’re aiming for.

These setup techniques, while they might seem simple, lay the groundwork for every chip you’re about to take. They give you stability, control, and a starting edge to make your shots as effective as they can be.

Mastering Chipping Techniques: Developing Your Skillset

Once you’ve nailed the setup, it’s time to fine-tune the actual motion. A smooth, rhythmic stroke is your best friend when it comes to chipping. Start by keeping your backswing short and controlled. It’s tempting to let it fly, but in chipping, less is definitely more.

A common pitfall is flicking your wrists. While some wrist movement is natural, overdoing it can send your shot out of control. Instead, focus on swinging with your shoulders, keeping everything in sync for better accuracy and precision.

Different lies on the course need different approaches. A ball on pristine fairway grass? That’s golden for a cleaner chip. In the rough? You’ll want a more exaggerated swing to get the ball up and rolling.

Body movements play a crucial role. Imagine your upper body like a pendulum, moving in one fluid motion. It’s all about consistency. Practicing this swing action regularly helps embed muscle memory, making chipping feel like second nature.

Mistakes happen, but the key is learning from them. Whether you’re getting too much air or not enough, take a second to adjust your technique. Over time, these techniques become habitual, leading to cleaner, more confident chips no matter the conditions.

If you’re looking for more info on how to get a proper spin on the ball on your chips, check out putting backspin on golf ball.

The Chipping Philosophy: Bump and Run Beats Flop and Pray

One of the biggest mistakes golfers make is trying to hit fancy, high, soft shots when they don’t need to.

High shots = high risk.

Low shots = low stress.

The foundation of great chipping is the bump-and-run:

Ball lands on the green early

Rolls most of the way to the hole

Predictable and easy to control

Pros use high, soft chips only when required.

Great amateurs master the low, simple ones first.

Let’s walk through the fundamentals step by step.

1. Stance: Narrow, Stable, Athletic

Your stance sets the stage for everything.

How to Stand for a Chip Shot

Feet close together (about shoulder-width or narrower)

Slightly open stance (front foot a bit pulled back)

Knees softly flexed

Upper body relaxed and athletic

Why this matters:

A narrow stance limits excessive movement and promotes clean contact.

2. Weight Distribution: Favor the Lead Side

This is critical.

For every chip shot:

60–70% of your weight on your front foot

Keep it there throughout the shot

Why:

Promotes ball-first contact

Prevents scooping or flipping the club

Helps you strike the ball cleanly

If you struggle with thin or chunky chips, weight distribution is often the culprit.

3. Ball Position: Slightly Back of Center

Ball position should be:

Just back of center in your stance

Not off your back foot

Not up by your front foot

Why:

Encourages a descending strike

Produces clean contact

Controls trajectory

Back in stance = lower flight, more roll

Forward in stance = higher flight, more risk

4. Hand Position: Hands Ahead of the Ball

At address:

Your hands should be slightly ahead of the ball

Shaft leaning toward the target

This creates:

Proper loft control

Crisp contact

A stable, predictable strike

Avoid:

Hands behind the ball (scooping)

Excessive forward press (de-lofting too much)

Subtle is perfect.

5. Club Selection: It’s Not Always a Wedge

One of the biggest chipping breakthroughs is realizing:

You don’t have to use a wedge for every chip.

In fact, most great chippers use:

7 iron

8 iron

9 iron

Pitching wedge

Gap wedge

Simple Rule for Club Selection

More green to work with → lower lofted club

Less green to work with → higher lofted club

Example:

Lots of green, flat lie → 8 iron bump-and-run

Short-sided, need carry → sand or lob wedge

This alone can transform your short game.

6. Grip: Soft and Controlled

Your grip pressure should be:

Light to medium

No tension in the forearms

Why:

Promotes feel

Improves distance control

Prevents jerky motion

Death grip = bad chips.

7. The Chipping Motion: Rock the Shoulders

Chipping is not a handsy flick. It’s a small putting-style stroke using:

Shoulders

Arms moving together

Minimal wrist action

Key Feel

Imagine:

Your shoulders rock back and through

The club stays low

Your hands stay quiet

The club should brush the grass—not dig, not bounce.

8. Follow-Through: Low and Toward the Target

Your follow-through should be:

Short and controlled

Low to the ground

Pointing toward the target

If you:

Jab at the ball → you’ll decelerate

Scoop → you’ll thin it

Quit on the shot → you’ll chunk it

Smooth, steady, and confident is the goal.

Distance Control: The Secret to Great Chipping

Most missed chips are not direction problems.

They are distance problems.

Here’s how to control distance effectively:

Method 1: Same Swing, Different Clubs

This is the easiest and most consistent approach.

Use:

The same chipping motion

Different clubs to control roll

For example:

7 iron = lots of roll

9 iron = medium roll

Pitching wedge = less roll

Your motion stays the same.

Only the club changes.

This builds insane consistency.

Method 2: Same Club, Different Length Swings

Once you’re comfortable, you can:

Keep the same club

Vary backswing length for distance

Short backswing = short roll

Longer backswing = longer roll

But always keep tempo smooth.

Trajectory Control: Low Is Your Friend

For most chip shots:

Keep the ball low

Let it roll

High chips:

Are harder to control

Require more precision

Bring more risk

If you’re trying to get better quickly:

Master low chips first.

Common Chipping Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s kill the big ones.

Mistake #1: Scooping the Ball

Symptoms:

Thin shots

Bladed shots

Inconsistent contact

Fix:

Hands slightly ahead

Weight forward

Let the loft do the work

Mistake #2: Using Too Much Wrist

Symptoms:

Chunked shots

Inconsistent distance

Poor contact

Fix:

Rock shoulders

Quiet hands

Smooth motion

Mistake #3: Trying to Help the Ball Up

Symptoms:

Fat shots

Fear of hitting ground

Weak contact

Fix:

Trust the club’s loft

Strike down on the ball

Brush the grass

Mistake #4: Overcomplicating the Shot

Symptoms:

Standing over the ball too long

Changing mind mid-swing

Tension

Fix:

Pick club

Pick landing spot

Commit and go

Simple wins.

If you want to fix your bunker play, check out my ultimate bunker strategy guide.

How to Choose the Perfect Landing Spot

Before every chip:

Visualize where you want the ball to land

Let it roll to the hole

Think:

“Land it there… and let it release.”

The landing spot is more important than the hole itself.

The Chipping Checklist (Use This Every Time)

Before you chip, quickly check:

Narrow stance

Weight forward

Ball slightly back

Hands ahead

Soft grip

Smooth motion

If you do nothing else but follow this checklist, your chipping will improve.

Simple Chipping Drills to Build Confidence

Here are 3 powerful drills.

Drill 1: The One-Club Drill

Use one club (like a 9 iron) and hit:

10 chips to different holes

Focus only on clean contact and roll

This builds consistency.

Drill 2: The Landing Spot Drill

Place a towel or tee:

On the green where you want the ball to land

Try to land 10 balls on that spot

This trains precision.

Drill 3: The Distance Ladder

Pick 3 targets:

Short

Medium

Long

Chip 3 balls to each target without changing tempo.

Only change swing length.

This builds distance control.

If you want a look at the best wedges to get your spin right, check out my top 10 best wedges for spin.

How Chipping Fits Into Your Overall Short Game Strategy

Chipping doesn’t live alone.

It works together with:

Pitching

Putting

Wedge play

Course management

When your chipping is solid:

You attack pins more confidently

You recover from misses easily

Your stress level drops

Your scores improve fast

It’s one of the highest ROI skills in golf.

Beginner vs Advanced Chipping: What Changes?

Beginners Should Focus On:

Solid contact

Low trajectory

Bump-and-run shots

Simple setup

Advanced Players Can Add:

Lofted chips

Spin control

Trajectory manipulation

Shot shaping

But never skip the basics.

Even pros rely on fundamentals.

Advancing Your Game: Tips and Drills for Perfecting Chip Shots

Enhancing your chipping game isn’t just about the mechanics; it’s also about smart strategies and effective practice. Start with understanding the ground you’re playing on. The slope and condition of the green can influence your approach more than you’d think. Analyze the terrain before each shot to tailor your strategy and maximize a good roll.

Practice is the real game-changer. Incorporate different drills to develop a consistent and reliable chipping routine. One great drill is to set targets around the practice green at various distances. This helps simulate real play conditions, building confidence and accuracy.

Don’t forget technology. Using video analysis or feedback tools can provide insights into your swing and technique. Seeing your form in action helps identify subtle areas of improvement that you’d otherwise miss. There are many things you can learn from simply recording your swing and be able to see where you’re going wrong.

It’s not all technique though. Mental strength plays a huge role in how you perform under pressure. Spend time practicing mindfulness or visualization techniques that can help keep nerves in check during crucial shots.

With these drills and mindfulness practices, you’re not just chipping the ball closer to the hole but also teaching yourself to remain calm and collected when it matters most. Now let’s wrap this up so we can get out to the chipping green.

Final Thoughts: Master the Basics, Master Your Scores

Chipping doesn’t need to be mysterious.

When you:

Set up correctly

Choose smart clubs

Keep motion simple

Focus on landing spots

You turn chipping into a strength, not a liability.

And once chipping becomes reliable, your entire game changes.

Lower scores.

More confidence.

More fun.

That’s the power of solid fundamentals. Knowing how the to properly set up your shot, and hitting the right club at the right angle can do absolute wonders to your chipping game. Keep it simple with the basics, but focused, and you’ll be able to approach the green without getting embarrassed. I’ll see you out on the golf course, chipping maestros.