Chipping – Play it like you Putter

As I said earlier in part 1 of “How to use a Rescue or Utility Club”,  since the sand wedge was invented in 1935, there have been no new types of clubs designed that have really stuck.  There have been a few clubs that came close, one of those being a CHIPPER; it is basically a putter with loft added for anyone who struggles with their chipping, making solid impact, chipping yips, and getting nervous around the green.  With the chipper, you make your putting stroke from off the edge of the green, but with the loft on the club the ball would lift in the air slightly, landing on the green, running out to the hole – a very simple effective shot.  You can still buy them, but they are rare and never really became a standard part of most golfers’ sets.  The reason is you only get to carry 14 clubs in your set, and using one of them for only one type of shot, a chip & run, is simply not worth it for most players.  The good news is you can use a rescue for the same purpose!

How to play

Address the ball like you where playing a putter.

• Grip as far down the club as possible, taking your putting grip.

• The ball position should be in the center of your stance.

• Stand closer to the ball, as you would with putting; the shaft of the club should be more vertical than normal.

• Your weight should be more to your left side to create a descending impact.  This is the only difference to your putting address.

• Your width of stance should be the same as your putting address.

• Use your shoulders in the swing with very little hand movement.  Again, the same as your putting stroke.