Take this for what it's worth!
(IMO, Anyone who shoots regularly in 80's or higher should be using a Chipper!)
I have a single digit hdcp at my home course, and I use a Chipper, it's probably the 3rd most used club in my bag, behind my putter and driver.
I have been through it all with my golf game over the years, including the chip yips. I have tried all the techniques, usually with some success for a short amount of time. Using the bounce, Putting with irons, hybrids, etc, etc. I also have tried many Chippers over the years. Cleveland Niblick, putter styles, etc.
I currently use the mallet putter style and love it. I have two, but both are mallet putter style.
Honestly, I can still chip pretty decent/good without a Chipper. But, that being said, I am a great chipper using the Chipper. The crazy thing is I just went back to them two months ago, and my hdcp has dropped about 2 strokes. I believe the better golfer/chipper you are, the better you will be with a Chipper. Plus, if you are not a good chipper, you can become decent/good with a Chipper.
I play all the time with good players (70's, 80's Shooters) who cost themselves strokes around the green because they refuse to use a Chipper to help them. Especially the guys who shoot in the 80's. They make doubles and triples all the time from just around the green. They chunk it, thin it across, etc. etc. They may hit a good shot say 50 percent of the time and great shot every now and then. But all it takes is 1 or 2 doubles and you are not shooting in the 70's. A Chipper takes that score out of the equation for me, and many times still leaves birdie as an option. I have made more chips with a Chipper than I ever have with a regular club.
I admit, I usually hit lots of greens, 10+ or so a round, when I play golf. When I miss, it is usually not that far off the green, 10 to 20 yards at most, unless I just hit a terrible shot, or weather is a factor. But, when I miss a green, I know most times the worst score I going to get is a bogey. I might chip in for birdie, many times I get it inside 5 foot for a good par look, but almost always I get it into a position I can get down in two shots for bogey at worse.
I took out my 60 degree wedge, and just open my 54 degree wedge for lobs, sand, etc. Lets face it, 80's plus players probably should not be hitting lob wedges anyway. Very low percentage shot for them.
I am always preaching to the guys I play with about the advantages of a Chipper, and they will see it in person, yet they still won't buy in. Even testers on Youtube will test them and say how good they work, but then add that "they" would never use one. It's hilarious really. They pull it out for the first time and start hitting good shots with them without even practicing most times. Imagine what they could do with it after some practice.
Another thing that amazes me is guys will spend $500 on a Driver, $250 on a Putter, if they think it will make them better, but they won't spend less that $50 on a Chipper to make them better.
Like I said before, I prefer the mallet putter style Chippers over the Square Edge, or Cleveland style. I don't hit full shots with my Chipper. The longest shot I would hit would be a 50 yard bump and run with it, and I use it a lot for those type of bump and run shots on short par 4's and long par 5's. Especially in the wind. My main priority to to get the ball on the green, period.
The two Chippers I use are the Pinemeadow Chipper and the Acer Chipper. I chose them after testing many. The Pinemeadow is a little heavier and has less drag than the Acer. It also has an offset hosel vs the regular hosel for the Acer. They both are under $50!
They are also great for trouble shots under trees, punch outs, and windy or bad weather conditions. Plus, if you have a family, full time job, and only play once in a while, you don't have to practice much to use one very well. Remember I don't want to make anything higher than a bogey. You can make 7 bogeys and still shoot in the 70's!
I'll keep using my Chipper and taking the jabs from my buddies. It's always fun to Jab them back with a Chip in!
Once again, if you can't break 80, you are hurting yourself if you don't use a Chipper! (Just my my opinion)
