Here’s how to chip a golf ball: use a narrow setup and a short, simple motion instead of a full swing. Chipping is the short shot you play from just off the green, using a lofted club to lift the ball over the edge so it can roll toward the hole. Plenty of beginners think it’s hard to learn, but it’s one of the easiest parts of the game to get comfortable with.
A simple setup and a small motion do most of the work. You don’t need a full swing to get the ball close to the hole. Think of it as a controlled, firm stroke, and your chips will improve quickly once the motion feels repeatable.
This article covers the setup, the motion, and the common mistakes, so you can get close to the hole without overthinking it.
Which club should you chip with?
A gap wedge is the club most beginners should start with for chipping. It has around 50 to 52 degrees of loft [1], which is enough to get the ball up in the air without a big swing.
A pitching wedge also works, and it’s a good pick if you want a lower shot. It has around 44 to 48 degrees of loft [1], and it keeps the ball low [1].
The idea behind both clubs is simple. Lower-lofted clubs keep the ball low, which makes contact and roll easier to control [1]. That matters when you’re learning, because a low shot that rolls toward the hole is more forgiving than a high one that stops short.
Pick one club and stick with it for a few weeks. If you already own a pitching wedge, try it first. Chip from just off the fringe to a hole about 10 yards away, and you’ll learn how far the ball travels with your setup and motion before you spend a dollar on another club.
What is the simple chipping setup and motion?
Setting up for a chip is simpler than most beginners expect. Narrow your stance, move the ball back, lean your weight forward, and make a small swing that lets the ball roll.
Stand with your feet close together, and place the ball back in your stance, near the middle of your feet. This setup helps the club strike the ball before it touches the ground. A narrow stance also keeps your body from moving too much during the shot.
Put most of your weight on your front foot, and keep your hands slightly ahead of the ball. That forward lean helps you hit down through the ball instead of scooping it into the air. Think of your hands leading the club, not your body leaning back.
Keep your arms and shoulders quiet, and make a small, firm swing. The club should move back and through with your arms and wrists, not with a big turn of your body. Keep the motion short so the strike stays consistent from shot to shot.
Let the club brush the grass just after the ball, and let the ball roll out toward the hole. You are picking a landing spot and letting the ground do most of the work. Once the ball is rolling, your job is done.
If the ball comes off the face low and starts rolling soon after it lands, your setup and motion are working.
What mistakes make your chips go wrong?
Most bad chips come down to three mistakes: hitting it fat, hitting it thin, or flipping your wrists at the ball. Each one has a clear cause you can fix.
Hitting it fat
A fat chip is when the club hits the ground before the ball. The club digs in, the ball barely moves, and the shot stops short in the grass. This usually means your weight is too far back, on your back foot. Shift more of your weight onto your front foot before you swing, and the club will meet the ball first.
Hitting it thin
A thin chip is the opposite: the ball flies far past the hole. This usually happens when you lift up or hit the top of the ball. Keep your body steady through impact instead of rising up to watch the ball go. A steady body keeps the club low through the strike.
Wrist flipping
Trying to scoop the ball into the air with a wrist flip makes contact inconsistent. Some shots come off the sweet spot, while others hit the ground or the top of the ball. Keep your hands ahead of the ball and make a small, firm swing instead of trying to lift it. The ball will come off the clubface more predictably.
Where should you practice chipping next?
Your best next step is to take a lofted wedge to the practice green and chip a handful of balls to one spot. Use the narrow setup and the short, firm motion you’ve already learned, and don’t try to make the swing bigger.
Start by picking one target, like a towel or a spot about 10 feet away. Hit five or six chips to that same spot, and watch how far the ball rolls after it lands. If it runs too far, you’re probably decelerating less than you think, so try a slightly softer, shorter motion. If it stops short, let the club brush the grass a little more freely and keep your weight on your front foot.
Once the motion feels repeatable, take it to the course. Pick a shot just off the green where you have room to let the ball roll, and use the same setup every time. Your chipping will improve fastest when you repeat the same simple motion, not when you try new ones. You may also find this useful: How to Improve Golf Swing Consistency.