Chipping Drills

[joshparker]

We just moved a couple months ago and the new home course doesn't have a driving range and the putting green doesn't offer much room for chipping. Needless to say, the chipping yips have started creeping in with the lack of practice. I will go out during the week when it's slow and work on chipping but I can set up any drills.

Are there chipping drills or things you work on in the backyard or with limited space at the course?

What are your favorites?

 

[TWright]

My favorite chipping drill is the stork drill, where I setup with all my weight on my front foot and pull my rear foot back and only have the tip of my foot on the ground. This keeps me from swaying in my chipping which is a killer for me, and helps me make ball first contact.

 

[joshparker]

My favorite chipping drill is the stork drill, where I setup with all my weight on my front foot and pull my rear foot back and only have the tip of my foot on the ground. This keeps me from swaying in my chipping which is a killer for me, and helps me make ball first contact.

I forgot about this one. This will be an easy one to do during a slow weekday on the course or at home

 

[darthweasel]

big fan of the ladder drill. Couple versions
1) try to land each ball further than the last one. Once it does not land further, restart.
2) Start with the furthest you want to chip, and each succeeding one just a bit shorter. When it goes longer, restart.

It is really hard to control the ball well enough and teaches you subtlety.

Another version if you have more space...I chip the first ball as short as I can. Think 1" backswing. Then try to land the next one on the first ball. Try to land the third on the second ball and so forth. It combines block practice with random in my head.

 

[Scooby45]

You guys already nailed my favorite two, stork and ladder.

Another one I like is what I call the three club game. Take three clubs and try to hit each from the same spot to the same target.

It helps me start to better visualize multiple ways to get the ball to the hole. This is turn gives me comfort in more options when on the course. So for example, if I start losing a bit of confidence I know I’ve practiced a lower lofted club that I can simply get running.

I tend to pick all three wedges but occasionally will grab an 8 iron and I know some might pick a hybrid, fairway or even putter from the rough.

 

[Bernoulli]

My favorite chipping drill is the stork drill, where I setup with all my weight on my front foot and pull my rear foot back and only have the tip of my foot on the ground. This keeps me from swaying in my chipping which is a killer for me, and helps me make ball first contact.

Such a good drill.

 

[Coulter]

I have one of those cheap little chipping nets for my backyard, it’s a small yard so the most I can work on is 20 yard chips but it’s something

 

[joshparker]

I have one of those cheap little chipping nets for my backyard, it’s a small yard so the most I can work on is 20 yard chips but it’s something

I bought a little 3 net setup with different sizes and then have my hitting mat on the back porch. Have about the same distance available.

 

[joshparker]

Take three clubs and try to hit each from the same spot to the same target.

It helps me start to better visualize multiple ways to get the ball to the hole. This is turn gives me comfort in more options when on the course. So for example, if I start losing a bit of confidence I know I’ve practiced a lower lofted club that I can simply get running.

This is a really good one!
Glad I started this as some of these I had forgotten about.

 

[Coulter]

I bought a little 3 net setup with different sizes and then have my hitting mat on the back porch. Have about the same distance available.

That’s exactly the set up I have it sounds like. It at least helps with direction but I feel like you miss out on some of the more touchy shots or how much a ball may roll out on a green

 

[joshparker]

That’s exactly the set up I have it sounds like. It at least helps with direction but I feel like you miss out on some of the more touchy shots or how much a ball may roll out on a green

For sure. I only use it for trying to hit a distance and not any reaction the ball would have on an actual green

 

[Scooby45]

I also try and hit chips a few times a week in the house. Current house has a basement so I’ve got some space to play. Past houses, it was foam balls into the couch, but then at least let me work on low point control and trajectory to a degree

 

[WLG1952]

Since my chipping, and putting set ups, and strokes are identical (Paul Runyon's method) when I practice one, I'm practicing the other.

When the chipping green is crowded, I will find an open grassy area, and practice my aim, alignment and stroke. I will pick a target in front of the ball to land the chipped ball on. The target can be anything. A spot in the grass, a "birdie ball, pvc coupling, or a wash rag.

I just practice landing the ball on, or near that spot, with various clubs, at various distances. The loft of the club will handle the roll out once Im back on the green.

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

One of my favorite drills (if you can call it that) is to chip 5 balls from the same spot without looking up at the outcome. It's a simple, quick check-in to remind me that I should not move my head from its position through to the finish.

 

[Buckeyegolfnut]

Here you go;

 

[TxAggie2018]

It's not a drill, but my chipping has improved by taking a practice swing before my chip, and checking where the low point is before I hit the real shot.

The area around greens is seldom level, and at least around here, the green complexes are usually elevated. The changes these uphills create in low point can be surprising. Last week, I played a couple uphill chip shots with the ball about as far forward as most people would play a 4H on a flat surface, and made flush contact. Never would've seen those without a practice swing. I would've probably lined the ball up center, then just stabbed the club fat into the slope.

 

[ChrisATL]

I always come back to this - Joe Mayo can be a bit much, but this is a great drill to help with setup / swing thought.

 

[RecGolfer]

Drop four balls and chip them to four different holes on the practice green. Repeat until you get all four up and down. Then, spread four balls around the practice green and chip them to the same hole. Repeat until you get all four up and down.