Chipping Technique

[Thisway84]

I am interested in hearing how people set up for their greenside chipping. Obviously this shot creation is extremely variable based on lie, pin placement, and slope of the green.

Too long just get to the point: What are your go to setups for greenside chipping in these two scenarios assuming you have an ideal lie. 1) Short pin with a firm green sloping away. 2) Long pin with a firm green sloping away.

Background: I have been working hard at improving my game this summer. In the spring my focus was on my putting, in August I found a great deal of consistency with my Driver and at the end of August I finally broke 80 for the first time since college. When I sent my instructor my arccos breakdown from this round, he pointed out that I was 2/9 on up and downs and that with a little focus there, the 79 that I shot could easily have been a 75. Looking more deeply into my up and downs over my last six rounds, I am 7/31 at a 22% success rate. Doing some digging at an 8 handicap, I should be closer to a 36-40% mark.

When reflecting on my chipping, I pretty much have two go to setups. 1) open stance 58 degree face opened up weight on my front foot / typically used when I need to go over a bunker or the green is running away. 2) open stance 56 degree face shut down hands pushed forward weight on my front foot for everything else... Honestly I use my second setup for 75% of cases. I am finding that second setup is leading to more of a stabbing action at the ball. I typically play on courses that have firm quick greens and my chips are ending up 20+ feet away which does not give me much of a shot at the up and down.

This brings me back to my question at the top: What are your go to setups for greenside chipping in these two scenarios assuming you have an ideal lie. 1) Short pin with a firm green sloping away. 2) Long pin with a firm green sloping away.

Looking forward to any insight!

[GolfSpy_APH]

I wish I could give a solid answer, but I am very much a feel player. I use so many different clubs or stances because I use my imagination on how I invision the ball getting close or into the hole. 

I chipped in last round with a stance I haven't used in a couple years, but it was just what felt right.

Biggest thing I can say is try all sorts, be creative and do your best to Invision the shot itself. 

The only only part I will add is when chipping I am always focused on my landing spot and seeing the roll out. When I have that picked out I just try to hit my landing spot and let the ball do the rest.

[Jim Shaw]

29 minutes ago, Thisway84 said:

I am interested in hearing how people set up for their greenside chipping. Obviously this shot creation is extremely variable based on lie, pin placement, and slope of the green.

Too long just get to the point: What are your go to setups for greenside chipping in these two scenarios assuming you have an ideal lie. 1) Short pin with a firm green sloping away. 2) Long pin with a firm green sloping away.

Background: I have been working hard at improving my game this summer. In the spring my focus was on my putting, in August I found a great deal of consistency with my Driver and at the end of August I finally broke 80 for the first time since college. When I sent my instructor my arccos breakdown from this round, he pointed out that I was 2/9 on up and downs and that with a little focus there, the 79 that I shot could easily have been a 75. Looking more deeply into my up and downs over my last six rounds, I am 7/31 at a 22% success rate. Doing some digging at an 8 handicap, I should be closer to a 36-40% mark.

When reflecting on my chipping, I pretty much have two go to setups. 1) open stance 58 degree face opened up weight on my front foot / typically used when I need to go over a bunker or the green is running away. 2) open stance 56 degree face shut down hands pushed forward weight on my front foot for everything else... Honestly I use my second setup for 75% of cases. I am finding that second setup is leading to more of a stabbing action at the ball. I typically play on courses that have firm quick greens and my chips are ending up 20+ feet away which does not give me much of a shot at the up and down.

This brings me back to my question at the top: What are your go to setups for greenside chipping in these two scenarios assuming you have an ideal lie. 1) Short pin with a firm green sloping away. 2) Long pin with a firm green sloping away.

Looking forward to any insight!

hmm, the 1st scenario is always a challenge, in my opinion you have a couple of options, depending on how far away you are from the pin, if the fringe is in good shape I would putt the ball, the goal is always to get the ball on the green to some point, give you a chance to sink the putt. And always a bad putt is better than a bad chip. Another option I have used is a bump and run, but you have to pick a spot to land the ball and understand how it is going to react. a third option could be to hit a spin shot to a spot and hope it reacts to your liking, the one thing all these options require is practice practice practice... the second scenario is a much easier shot, you can fly any number of clubs either with spin or not to release the ball to the hole, again takes practice... one thing I forgot, I always keep my eye on the back of the ball. keep my head still, and follow through. you have to follow through. 

Edited September 12, 2023 by Jim Shaw

[Shrek74]

I've been a pretty bad chipper/wedge player for many years, mainly due to either not practicing it or just not knowing the best things to do.

Some of the videos I've been watching on chipping/pitching have a few things that are common that might help with your 2 scenarios.

1. Weight to the front foot. The amount of weight to your front foot may vary, but always be leaning on that front foot.

2. Set your shoulders with the slope of the lie. This may require an adjustment of loft due to if up or down hill.

For longer chips around the green, I tend to lean hard on the bump and run. Depending on the lie/grass, I might go 9 iron or I might go 50*. My swing is very much a putter style swing (no wrist hinge) to keep my club head square and allows me to better manage the force imparted on the ball (distance control). I like this one as it gives me a more expected spin, roll, and speed just like I'm reading an actual putt. Plus if there is rough/green fringe between the ball and green, the light loft helps to get the ball over it and maintain most if not all of the speed.

For the short pin and slope away from me scenario, there's a lot of praying involved. But the main thing I try to accomplish is to land the ball in the lighter rough or fringe to help deaden the speed of the ball when it gets to the green. It's a very touch-dependent shot and requires speed control more than anything else. So it'll take practice, even if you practice on flat greens to get the speed control.

This all might not help, but thought I'd share my thoughts anyway.

[Shlax]

24 minutes ago, Thisway84 said:

I pretty much have two go to setups. 1) open stance 58 degree face opened up weight on my front foot / typically used when I need to go over a bunker or the green is running away. 2) open stance 56 degree face shut down hands pushed forward weight on my front foot for everything else... Honestly I use my second setup for 75% of cases. I am finding that second setup is leading to more of a stabbing action at the ball.

Those are basically my stock setups too (replace 58* by 60* though). I would also add the low-flying grab-and-roll one with the 52*. I like feeling more of a draw/inside-out swing when chipping the bump-n-run with the 52*. It gives me an initial bite on the first bounce and the release is soft. It is a more delicate shot than a typical bump-n-run with a 7 or 8 iron for exmample.

As for your scenarios with the green sloping away well, we unfortunately don't have much options. Even with a relatively low gradient, downhille slopes almost pulverize any bite the ball has (at least for me). I'd go with an open stance and do a standard 56* chip with a lot of roll in basically 99.9% of those cases.

[KC Golf]

I find speed of your swing is often overlooked. By increasing speed not length of your swing you can get more spin and control around the greens.  The speed creates nice spin which works well.  

Yesterday, Had a downhill tight lie in a run off area 25 yards from the pin next to a bunker and I was able to stop it (with more swing speed) even when the slope was going away from me.  Used a 56.  Made a key up and down for par in a fourball match.  

I actually sometimes take a 56 instead of a 60 and open it up for more spin as well.  Try different options and see what works for you.

I agree with other posts, practice and comfort / feel is key.  Aiming to hit a precise spot, with the right level of spin, with the right trajectory leads to good / better outcomes.

[Jim Shaw]

2 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

I find speed of your swing is often overlooked. By increasing speed not length of your swing you can get more speed and control around the greens.  The speed creates nice spin which works well.  

Yesterday, Had a downhill tight lie in a run off area 25 yards from the pin next to a bunker and I was able to stop it (with more swing speed) even when the slope was going away from me.  Used a 56.  Made a key up and down for par in a fourball match.  

I actually sometimes take a 56 instead of a 60 and open it up for more spin as well.  Try different options and see what works for you.

I agree with other posts, practice and comfort / feel is key.  Aiming to hit a precise spot, with the right level of spin, with the right trajectory leads to good / better outcomes.

and on another topic, congratulations to "team Alberta" they cleaned up the team event at the Canadian Men's senior championship, one player from Red Deer and two from Edmonton I believe... great players.

[KC Golf]

That’s great.  You can’t always have nice BC guys winning all of the time!

It started to get cold in the morning here, so the season is starting to wind down around here.  Kind of sad to see.  

If you are out here in Calgary before the season ends, just let me know.  I definitely owe you beers.  The courses are in great shape too. 

My Takomo 101Ts are still performing great. I wish my driving was a little better.  My new 52 and 56 Vokeys have been great around the greens.

[Jim Shaw]

2 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

That’s great.  You can’t always have nice BC guys winning all of the time!

It started to get cold in the morning here, so the season is starting to wind down around here.  Kind of sad to see.  

If you are out here in Calgary before the season ends, just let me know.  I definitely owe you beers.  The courses are in great shape too. 

My Takomo 101Ts are still performing great. I wish my driving was a little better.  My new 52 and 56 Vokeys have been great around the greens.

thank you again, same if you decide to come to vancouver island, put my miura's away at the end of the nationals and going to game the Takomo's starting this week, looking forward to it...

 

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, Thisway84 said:

I am interested in hearing how people set up for their greenside chipping. Obviously this shot creation is extremely variable based on lie, pin placement, and slope of the green.

Too long just get to the point: What are your go to setups for greenside chipping in these two scenarios assuming you have an ideal lie. 1) Short pin with a firm green sloping away. 2) Long pin with a firm green sloping away.

Background: I have been working hard at improving my game this summer. In the spring my focus was on my putting, in August I found a great deal of consistency with my Driver and at the end of August I finally broke 80 for the first time since college. When I sent my instructor my arccos breakdown from this round, he pointed out that I was 2/9 on up and downs and that with a little focus there, the 79 that I shot could easily have been a 75. Looking more deeply into my up and downs over my last six rounds, I am 7/31 at a 22% success rate. Doing some digging at an 8 handicap, I should be closer to a 36-40% mark.

When reflecting on my chipping, I pretty much have two go to setups. 1) open stance 58 degree face opened up weight on my front foot / typically used when I need to go over a bunker or the green is running away. 2) open stance 56 degree face shut down hands pushed forward weight on my front foot for everything else... Honestly I use my second setup for 75% of cases. I am finding that second setup is leading to more of a stabbing action at the ball. I typically play on courses that have firm quick greens and my chips are ending up 20+ feet away which does not give me much of a shot at the up and down.

This brings me back to my question at the top: What are your go to setups for greenside chipping in these two scenarios assuming you have an ideal lie. 1) Short pin with a firm green sloping away. 2) Long pin with a firm green sloping away.

Looking forward to any insight!

my body setup for both is basically the same….Square stance, weight forward leaning forward, hands weak.   Ball position/club squareness/shaft lean will change to get the ball a little higher or lower.

Nothing glaring seems wrong with the setup you mention.  My question would be more about contact, proximity to the hole,  and expectations.    In you scenario 1 how much slope, how much carry room, rough condition, etc would be important to set expectations.  If I am 20 feet from a pin 5 feet from the edge it is probably going to be 10 feet+ from the pin.   I’d also ask myself why did I end up short sided in the first place….firing at pins you shouldn’t? 

[BobBC78]

This topic is interesting to me as I have spent the past year researching it in order to develop a simple, repeatable approach to finesse shots (stealing from James Sieckmann here, basically any shot within 25 or 30 yards from the pin) which gives me a functional short game. 

I recently purchased Dan Carraher's short game video series after getting some input on his approach from another forum and started practicing his stock shot from fairway and tight lies and it really seems to meet what I was looking for. The basics are square narrow stance, ball positioned well forward in the stance, weight forward and a swing back and through with some body pivot and low point ahead of the ball. Carraher recommends keeping your thumbs pointed towards the ground for this shot and opening the club face to get higher trajectory. The result is a fairly low, spinning shot. The SW I prefer for this shot is a Ping Glide 3.0 54* with 12* of bounce that I had bent to 56* (so 14* bounce), which is consistent with Carraher's recommendation of using a wedge with lots of bounce. I used this approach today around the practice green at my home course and was pleased with the result. 

As an alternative to this shot with a SW, I also use a Ping ChipR (9-iron-ish loft) which works really well for lower running greenside shots for which there is plenty of green. Additionally, I warmed up on the range hitting 25-60 yard (carry, based on my PRGR) shots with the ChipR which were straight at the target and ran another 10-yards. Interesting to see how I might use the latter "on course". 

[RickyBobby_PR]

Setup is the same for pretty much all chips. Stand the club up. With the heel up slightly. I can use 5i-60° to chip

Club of choice will be base on far the carry needs to be compared to the amount of rollout.

Swing length and speed is determined by the shot im trying to play.

short carry will be a short stroke. Slower swing will have more height than a faster swing which will get the ball rolling earlier. 
 

medium length swing for more carry and same concept for speed

longer shot for more height and carry and same concept for speed as the others. 

Chris Ryan has some good videos on YouTube for pitching and chipping. Monte Scheinblum has several good videos on rebellion golf for short game

 

[CK1over]

I'm a terrible chipper, so whenever possible, I putt the ball.  The results of putting always works out better than trying to chip.

Unfortunately there are times that putting is not possible.

I've been working at:

1. 56 deg, open face, open stance, weight forward, standing slightly further away.

2. 9 iron bump and run, standing closer... basically trying to putt when you can't use the putter.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

This might be helpful. It’s how I approach chips as well. Notice the feet are close together.

[Kenny B]

3 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

This might be helpful. It’s how I approach chips as well. Notice the feet are close together.

This is similar to my approach as well, except I almost never chip with the ball off my back foot.  Feet are close and ball is closer to the front foot.  If I'm not far from the green, I will putt if that's an option; otherwise I will mostly use my 60º for the shots mentioned by the OP.  I don't rely on spin because I find it nearly impossible to count on the ball spinning the way I want every time, but I can play the ball low and make it run or higher with less rollout.  If the pin is a long way from my ball, I will sometimes use my 48º PW.  

Since I am distance-challenged, I have to rely on my short game to save pars and bogies.  I practice my chip shots quite a bit; not sure what my up and down % is, but a good guess is slightly under 50%.  When I'm above 50%, I can shoot my age.

[TJ Hall]

I use a 60 for all chipping around the green (grew up that way and have always done so), biggest thing I go with is to make sure I get the ball on the green and at least have a putt for par (definitely don’t want the same shot again).  Farther out will use a 56.

Generally keep weight forward, slightly open stance.  Really focus on the where your swing bottoms out, needs to be consistent so you know how the ball will come off the club.

Not great advice, but you will have to find what works for you.  Years ago, would spend hours around a chipping green just hitting different shots figuring out what worked and what I was comfortable with in a given situation.

[Thisway84]

I appreciate all the replies! I’m a teacher and would take a second to glance at responses as they came in which only gave me the itch to get out and play tonight… Twilight golf so the data below is only for the 15 holes I got in before I couldn’t see anything. That 67 is a pipe dream. My approach irons were drawing a bit more than usual today which gave me ample opportunity to try some different chipping approaches (it’s all about positive mindset).

When chipping, I was really focused on my target on the green. I also played with placing the ball further up in my stance to get a softer shot that wouldn’t run as much. I found focusing on my target helped greatly. I recently dove into the neuroscience of putting that Izzy Justice and the Gyra Golf app addresses. Much of that work focuses singularly on holding a target and letting your body simply do the work. Of my 10 up and down opportunities I’d say I hit my target 8 times and then converted the one putt 5 times which I was absolutely thrilled with.

I’ve got some really good nuggets to hit the chipping range with, but as long as I have a couple hours and I still have daylight, I’m getting out on the course as Wisconsin weather is changing and it will be sim time before I know it.
Loving the feedback. Keep it coming!




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[Thisway84]

I appreciate all the replies! I’m a teacher and would take a second to glance at responses as they came in which only gave me the itch to get out and play tonight… Twilight golf so the data below is only for the 15 holes I got in before I couldn’t see anything. That 67 is a pipe dream. My approach irons were drawing a bit more than usual today which gave me ample opportunity to try some different chipping approaches (it’s all about positive mindset).

When chipping, I was really focused on my target on the green. I also played with placing the ball further up in my stance to get a softer shot that wouldn’t run as much. I found focusing on my target helped greatly. I recently dove into the neuroscience of putting that Izzy Justice and the Gyra Golf app addresses. Much of that work focuses singularly on holding a target and letting your body simply do the work. Of my 10 up and down opportunities I’d say I hit my target 8 times and then converted the one putt 5 times which I was absolutely thrilled with.

I’ve got some really good nuggets to hit the chipping range with, but as long as I have a couple hours and I still have daylight, I’m getting out on the course as Wisconsin weather is changing and it will be sim time before I know it.
Loving the feedback. Keep it coming!




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Here’s a closer view of my chipping from tonight. Love the data Arccos gives.


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[JerryB]

Some good advice in here.  Definitely need to refine my chipping game, which currently stands at "close your eyes and hope for the best."  Of course I'm joking...but not as much as you might think.

[Jim418]

For short greenside chips where you want it to land "dead", I use a 56* wedge, set up like a putt and swing it like a putt (long smooth stroke with NO WRIST/HAND ACTION AT ALL).

Just a long, smooth stroke. You'll be shocked at how short the ball goes for how long you swing it. And it just lands dead soft (albeit with no spin). For me this discourages deceleration or rapid acceleration. Seems easier to manage distance control too.

I probably don't try to carry it more than 6ft as the stroke gets too long.

[Jim Shaw]

1 hour ago, Jim418 said:

For short greenside chips where you want it to land "dead", I use a 56* wedge, set up like a putt and swing it like a putt (long smooth stroke with NO WRIST/HAND ACTION AT ALL).

Just a long, smooth stroke. You'll be shocked at how short the ball goes for how long you swing it. And it just lands dead soft (albeit with no spin). For me this discourages deceleration or rapid acceleration. Seems easier to manage distance control too.

I probably don't try to carry it more than 6ft as the stroke gets too long.

love that style, I do that on most of my chips around the green unless spin is needed and I dont generate a lot of that

[Ding-dong]

My chipping has been a disaster, I was wondering if I had the “yips” hence looking at a Ping chipr. Also my course is very bare and hard so loft is a bit of a disaster. 
I will practice the Phil M technique as I don’t want to give bag space away . My chipping used to be a really strong part of my game so I wonder if the confidence and setup has just gone.

[dinomack99]

I have changed my technique lately to simplify my chipping. I simply move my feet up to the ball just like a putt, my nose is basically right over the ball and with a wedge I simply use a putting stroke. I have about 60% of my weight on my left foot to ensure that I make a downward blow on the ball. It pops up really nicely and will roll out. You would need to experiment with the distance you get between your sand wedhe, gap wedge and pitching wedge. The fact that the toe is down and the heel is up off of the ground because you are standing so close to the ball, is key.

[saz0418]

Go to a practice green and set up some balls on the collar and in the rough.  Chip with your wedges and find the club that goes 50/50... 1:1... flies half and rolls half.   Mine is usually my 52, but it might be 56 or GW depending on conditions.  Once you have your 50/50 club, skip a club going down in loft, and the next club is 1/3 : 2/3-- meaning it flies 1/3 of the way, and rolls the other 2/3rds.  So, if my 52 degree is my 50/50 club, then I skip GW (49 degree)-- and my PW (45 degree) is my 1/3 carry chip club. 

 In a simple world, that will cover about 90% of what you encounter around the green.   So, find your 50/50 club when you get to the practice green, and you are good to go for the day.  Grab the 2 appropriate wedges and your putter when you get to the green and off you go.    If you are interested, there is quite a bit more to this whole story.   Oh, and I set up narrow, ball center, slightly open, weight forward, and often use the chip/putt motion where the wedge is more vertical, you are close to the ball, and the toe of the club contacts the ball.   You can look it up online.  It's a very popular chipping method that many, many players use. 

The "find your 50/50 club"  is based on the rule of 12 (or rule of 9, or however you want to call it).   The best description I have found is that every chipping club is approximately 10% of the fly:roll ratio.  So, if your GW is 50%, then your PW is 40% and your 9i is 30%, etc.    Same going the other way where your GW would be 50%, then your next wedge up in loft (maybe 52 or 54 degree) would be 60%, and so on.    You can see that my simple example is my 52 is my 50/50 club (so, 50% fly), and then skip GW (40%) and my PW is 1:3 (30%).  So it all works.     You can use this framework anywhere.   Generally gets me close to the hole assuming I have read the break correctly.   

Some easy mods:

- uphill lie, add one club.   

- uphill chip, add one club.   So, if you are chipping from an uphill apron to an uphill, back pin, you would add 2 clubs of loft, but hit the same aim/landing spot.   In my example, instead of 52 degree, half way there-- I would hit PW.   

- if you need (or want) to land in the apron or collar (closely mowed), add a club for that.   

- uphill and downhill:  I always pace my distance when I enter the green as I walk to my ball.   You can add or subtract paces to account for uphill and down hill chips pretty easy.  If I know I want to hit it firm uphill (say, 2 paces past the hole), then I add 2 to my distance.  I work in paces and not feet because its easy.  9 paces to my ball (level), I will it 3 paces on (1/3) and let it roll out.  If there is not room for 3 paces, then I go to the next club up.   

- likewise, you can go UP one club in loft if you are chipping from a downhill lie and/or chipping to a downhill roll.   Might be more depending on the severity of the slope.   General 2 -5 % slopes around the green, one club is often adequate.  

- another caveat:   the "mulitplier" gets bigger the less loft you use to chip.   My 52 degree wedge (typically) flies 1/2 and rolls half.  The ration is 1:1.   Meaning, if I miss my landing spot by 1 yard long or short, then I will be 1 yard long or short of the pin.   If you chip with a 7 iron (example), it flies 1/4, rolls 3/4.   So, if you miss your landing spot by 1 yard, you miss the pin by 3 YARDS!   So your misses are magnified.  In theory, this is balanced by the idea that its easier to hit a spot closer to you  with a 7 iron (say, maybe 3 paces away ) than one farther away with your 50/50 wedge.  But,  I say you need to do some practice and see what you are good at.   If you can land a ball with your 50/50 wedge within, say, an area the size of a kids swimming pool from 10, 20 or 30 paces away, you will always be within 5 or 6 feet of the flag.  Some people just seem to have that knack.   If not,  employ as many clubs as you need.   The simple 50/50 and 1/3, 2/3rds model is pretty easy to work with.   

I am almost 65 and play to an 8/9 HDCP.   I am not a long hitter, so I spend a good bit of focus on my wedges (inside 100 yards) and chipping and pitching around the green.    

Sorry if this is too long-winded or technical.  I was an Engineer in my career.  Some would say I still am.  LOL

Good Luck.  

Edited September 25, 2023 by saz0418

[MarvChamp]

I seldom go high, seek to go low, and work on distance. 8-iron with a putting stroke mostly. Putter if I can get it off the fringe.

[Oudefart]

 

Seems to me just at looking at these stats alone, the problem is 3/15 greens!    Hit more greens in regulation and your won’t have to chip at all.

 

[LinksgolfFever]

As brief as possible……anything around the green regardless of carry/total distance required.  
Narrow stance (about 1 club head between your feet) and slightly open to your target line.

Weight distribution F/B 50/50-60/40

set up with ball on the instep of your back foot(slightly behind center)

Hover club head right behind the ball (don’t ground the club)

Club face position square to open depending on length and height needed for shot

forward press hands/grip (1/2 way between center and left side of left leg)

smooth swing tempo, accelerate into the ball.

This works for me to hit pretty much any shot around the green (15 yards or closer).  Clubface position, club head speed, swing length are the key variables for me, the rest of it is my blueprint to set up the chip.

hope this helps

 

[Thisway84]

3 hours ago, saz0418 said:

Go to a practice green and set up some balls on the collar and in the rough.  Chip with your wedges and find the club that goes 50/50... 1:1... flies half and rolls half.   Mine is usually my 52, but it might be 56 or GW depending on conditions.  Once you have your 50/50 club, skip a club going down in loft, and the next club is 1/3 : 2/3-- meaning it flies 1/3 of the way, and rolls the other 2/3rds.  So, if my 52 degree is my 50/50 club, then I skip GW (49 degree)-- and my PW (45 degree) is my 1/3 carry chip club. 

 In a simple world, that will cover about 90% of what you encounter around the green.   So, find your 50/50 club when you get to the practice green, and you are good to go for the day.  Grab the 2 appropriate wedges and your putter when you get to the green and off you go.    If you are interested, there is quite a bit more to this whole story.   Oh, and I set up narrow, ball center, slightly open, weight forward, and often use the chip/putt motion where the wedge is more vertical, you are close to the ball, and the toe of the club contacts the ball.   You can look it up online.  It's a very popular chipping method that many, many players use. 

The "find your 50/50 club"  is based on the rule of 12 (or rule of 9, or however you want to call it).   The best description I have found is that every chipping club is approximately 10% of the fly:roll ratio.  So, if your GW is 50%, then your PW is 40% and your 9i is 30%, etc.    Same going the other way where your GW would be 50%, then your next wedge up in loft (maybe 52 or 54 degree) would be 60%, and so on.    You can see that my simple example is my 52 is my 50/50 club (so, 50% fly), and then skip GW (40%) and my PW is 1:3 (30%).  So it all works.     You can use this framework anywhere.   Generally gets me close to the hole assuming I have read the break correctly.   

Some easy mods:

- uphill lie, add one club.   

- uphill chip, add one club.   So, if you are chipping from an uphill apron to an uphill, back pin, you would add 2 clubs of loft, but hit the same aim/landing spot.   In my example, instead of 52 degree, half way there-- I would hit PW.   

- if you need (or want) to land in the apron or collar (closely mowed), add a club for that.   

- uphill and downhill:  I always pace my distance when I enter the green as I walk to my ball.   You can add or subtract paces to account for uphill and down hill chips pretty easy.  If I know I want to hit it firm uphill (say, 2 paces past the hole), then I add 2 to my distance.  I work in paces and not feet because its easy.  9 paces to my ball (level), I will it 3 paces on (1/3) and let it roll out.  If there is not room for 3 paces, then I go to the next club up.   

- likewise, you can go UP one club in loft if you are chipping from a downhill lie and/or chipping to a downhill roll.   Might be more depending on the severity of the slope.   General 2 -5 % slopes around the green, one club is often adequate.  

- another caveat:   the "mulitplier" gets bigger the less loft you use to chip.   My 52 degree wedge (typically) flies 1/2 and rolls half.  The ration is 1:1.   Meaning, if I miss my landing spot by 1 yard long or short, then I will be 1 yard long or short of the pin.   If you chip with a 7 iron (example), it flies 1/4, rolls 3/4.   So, if you miss your landing spot by 1 yard, you miss the pin by 3 YARDS!   So your misses are magnified.  In theory, this is balanced by the idea that its easier to hit a spot closer to you  with a 7 iron (say, maybe 3 paces away ) than one farther away with your 50/50 wedge.  But,  I say you need to do some practice and see what you are good at.   If you can land a ball with your 50/50 wedge within, say, an area the size of a kids swimming pool from 10, 20 or 30 paces away, you will always be within 5 or 6 feet of the flag.  Some people just seem to have that knack.   If not,  employ as many clubs as you need.   The simple 50/50 and 1/3, 2/3rds model is pretty easy to work with.   

I am almost 65 and play to an 8/9 HDCP.   I am not a long hitter, so I spend a good bit of focus on my wedges (inside 100 yards) and chipping and pitching around the green.    

Sorry if this is too long-winded or technical.  I was an Engineer in my career.  Some would say I still am.  LOL

Good Luck.  

This offers some great advice! Thanks! While off the bat my mind is swirling a bit in the detail but I love the thought of finding that 50/50 club. At the moment, everything is complete feel for me and it has been improving but sometimes my visualization feels a bit like a prayer. Finding that 50/50 could help solve some of that guess work.

[billybogey]

K.I.S.S.!! Took me awhile to learn. 

But, is paying off as Feet are closer to-gether, Weight on Left Foot, Opened Stance, Moved hands Down on Shaft.

Cleared "Head" & Swing Back & Thru.

Plus; really enjoy hitting "Flop Shot" as "Tick's Off" Young Guns. Big Time!!

Yippee!!

 

Edited September 25, 2023 by billybogey

[Thisway84]

2 hours ago, Oudefart said:

 

Seems to me just at looking at these stats alone, the problem is 3/15 greens!    Hit more greens in regulation and your won’t have to chip at all.

 

Without a doubt! That session gave me lots of opportunities to practice up and downs... That's how I chose to look at it, otherwise I probably would have cried. Just got done with a round where I hit 8/18 which is much better, however I had bogey's the last three holes to shoot an 80. I'm blaming the active verticuting, top dressing, watering, jet engine blowing of the greens the whole round for that...