Short Game Wizardry: 7 Essential Chipping and Pitching Techniques for Lower Scores

The putting green might be the glamor shot of golf, but chipping and pitching are the workhorses of the course. Master these skills, and you'll slash strokes faster than you can say "free beer at the clubhouse."

Conversely, neglect them, and you'll find yourself staring down more three-putt opportunities than a goat at a putting competition. Sound familiar?

Soon those three-putts will be a distant memory. In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down the essential chipping and pitching techniques that will leave your buddies speechless. This ain't rocket science, but it is about understanding some key principles and practicing the right techniques. Get ready to unlock the secrets to a lower scoring short game!

The first step to conquering any chip shot is understanding the distance to the green. Pace it off, use a Sniper Rangefinder (those little gadgets are a lifesaver!), or rely on your trusty yardage book. Guessing rarely works on the golf course, fellas.

Next up, club selection. This can feel like deciphering hieroglyphics at first, but here's a simple rule: the farther the shot, the more loft you need on the club to get the ball airborne. For shorter chips around the green, a pitching wedge or sand wedge might be your best bet. For longer pitches, consider a gap wedge or even a hybrid.

Or, you can take the guesswork out wedge selection altogether and switch to the P4 Prism Wedges , a 2-wedge system for any short game shot that makes the short game simple.

A solid setup is crucial for consistent contact. Here's what you need to do:

For most chip shots, position the ball slightly forward in your stance (closer to your front foot). This promotes a more descending angle of attack, which helps you control the distance and flight of the ball.

Maintain good posture with your knees slightly bent and your back a little tilt. Think of yourself as a sturdy tree rooted in the ground, ready for a smooth swing.

Maintain a firm, but not death grip, on the club. You want control, but not tension that restricts your swing.

Here's the kicker: chipping and pitching aren't about brute force. Focus on a smooth, controlled swing with good tempo. Imagine you're swinging through a nice, thick layer of butter.

Instead of focusing on hitting the ball hard, concentrate on feeling the distance with your swing. Think of chipping and pitching as an extension of your putting stroke, with a little more power.

Bonus Tip: For chip shots, visualize the ball rolling most of the way to the hole, with a little hop at the end.

Facing a tricky chip with a tight lie or a green perched high above the sand trap? Don't be a hero! The short game bump shot is your secret weapon.

Here's how it works:

Opt for a sand wedge or even a pitching wedge with minimal loft.

Open the clubface slightly at address. This reduces loft and ensures the ball pops out with a low, skimming trajectory.

Make a shorter, controlled swing, focusing on clean contact with the ground just behind the ball.

Aim for a landing zone short of the green, allowing the ball to roll up towards the hole. This minimizes the risk of flying the green and reduces the effect of any uneven green slopes.

Alright, gentlemen, the final (and most important) tip: practice! The more comfortable you become with chipping and pitching from different distances and lies, the more confident you'll be on the course. Grab some wedges, head to the practice green, and experiment with these techniques.

Here’s our top three practice drills for your shots around the green:

By mastering these essential chipping and pitching techniques, you'll transform from a frustrated weekend warrior to a short game Houdini, leaving your opponents scratching their heads and wondering what sorcery you used to chip the ball so close.

Remember, it's all about understanding the distance, choosing the right club, setting up for a stable swing, using a smooth tempo, feeling the distance, and practicing religiously.

So, get out there and start chipping and pitching with confidence! Before you know it, you'll be saving pars like a pro and watching your scores plummet faster than a rogue squirrel on a peanut hunt.

To better golf,

Matt Stephens

Founder & Inventor, Pyramid Golf