| | | | The Fine Art of Pitching and Chipping | | Although they are two different types of strokes, pitching and chipping both require hitting the ball with a respectable amount of both power and accuracy. The key to successfully mastering the art of pitching and chipping is to recognize where power meets finesse.
When chipping, remember, brute force is not the way to go, as mustering too much strength in your shot can lead to a complete loss of control. Some golfers may even try to over-compensate by hitting the ball too weakly. Try to replicate your usual golf swing, except tone the power down just a bit. This may requires a shift in mindset, as if you’re downshifting while driving a car.
When should you chip the ball? Chipping is typically used when the golfer needs to alter the ball's position on the green or when you're stuck in a sand trap. The chip shot can be an excellent shot for the end of the round due to the little height it reaches and because it will land on the rim of the green and before rolling downwards to the hole. Novices who are still uncertain about the value of the chip shot should remember this simple fact - it is a LOT easier to roll a golf ball to the hole in fewer strokes than it is to fly the ball closer to the hole and then putt it.
Pitching is the opposite - it is designed to travel high and in the air towards the hole, minimizing the ball's "rolling" on the green, and pitching can be more difficult for a golfer to master because you need to achieve height while allowing the ball to only travel a short distance. Pitching requires more power, requiring a fuller degree of force swing and is ideal for creating birdie chances.
In order to successfully pitch the golf ball, make sure you fully turn your shoulders while ensuring your hands do not reach any higher than shoulder height. The major reason for the failure of pitching shots is because control is lost during the swing. All too often, the struggling novice will lose control and the ball veers off at a curved angle rather than the intended straight line and you will be hopelessly off par for the hole. Pitching may be a rather risky move, but it can pay dividends when successfully pulled off. |
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