Stop Hitting Fat Chip Shots

By | on May 18, 2023 | 27 Comments |


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Paul Wilson is the creator of Swing Machine Golf and founder of Ignition Golf. Paul's golf swing technique is based on the Iron Byron swing machine. YouTube Channels: Paul Wilson Golf and Ignition Golf Tips. Please Join me on Google+

27 Responses to “Stop Hitting Fat Chip Shots”

  1. August 25, 2014

    JuleHerbert

    What is your view of using weight staying on left side for, say, 70 yard wedge shot?

  2. August 25, 2014

    DOUGLASGROSE

    Hi Paul. This is a huge issue for me. Great ideas to look at when I next practice chipping. The question I want to ask relates to another chipping video in which I noted that you recommend a four knuckle grip with the lead hand. I tried it out yesterday and it did seem to help but I am curious about the reason why this makes chipping easier/better/more reliable. Thanks.

    • August 25, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      Doug,

      It guarantees a descending blow. This is because when you take this grip there is an angle between the lead arm and shaft. To make this a straight line the club would be 6 inches below the ground (descending blow). Grip normally and it is a straight line between the arm and shaft. Once false move and you will be ascending. You need the guarantee of the descending blow to stop mis-hits. This is why you need to grip it my way.

  3. August 25, 2014

    RonCalabrese

    Hi Paul. Fat chips have cost me innumerable strokes over the years to the point I sometimes putt, when a chip is called for. I marvel at how easy you make it look, which I’m sure is a matter of technique and practice. This is a video I’ll save for repeated viewing.

    Thanks, Ron Calabrese
    PS : If I were to plan a trip to your facility for lessons, are there resort type accommodations at the course. My wife doesn’t golf!

    • August 25, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      Ron,

      It is easy. If you can putt you can chip.

      The Red Rock Hotel is only about 5mins. away and they have everything she would need. Great hotel. Check your email for hotel info. Be great to work with you in person.

  4. August 25, 2014

    ERIABBERA

    Hi Paul,
    Please explain the right arm ‘state’ during chipping and short pitching. Thanks.

  5. Very basic and sensible lesson ,Paul ,to avoir the dreaded fat chipping .Even Tour Pros fall in this trap ,you CAN see it happening Time and a gain in the TOUR Events : I suspect this is the reason why they most often “carry the ball High” instead of chipping ,as we would do !
    Apart from “lifting THE right foot” trick,there’s also THE drill with a towel or a club one foot behind THE ball ,and this forces you to comme in downwards to THE ball .I regularly use THE ” AIMING POINT ” technique ,keeping m’y eyes directed to a point 4 inches in front of THE ball ,on THE side of THE target ,and I don’t look at all at THE ball.

    • August 25, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      Raymond,

      No tricks needed if you hold it in a 3-4 knuckle grip position. This guarantees a descending blow.

      • Paul ,You are right .I play the PAUL RUNYAN grip (Hands opposed ,arms at 45 ° to the handle ,grip left hand very weak ,grip right hand very strong) ,but your’s is much better :with your grip you are 100 % sure you won’t scuff the chip .

  6. August 28, 2014

    HarveyKirk

    Paul….I think most of my chips are caused by my increasing the grip pressure as I start to make contact. This increase in grip pressure causes me to tighten up and not complete my short stroke. Any suggestions or tips on how to maintain the needed lighter grip pressure.

    • August 30, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      Harvey,

      You need to imagine it is your putter you are hitting not your actual club. I guarantee you are not death gripping your putter.

  7. October 10, 2014

    JamesChapleau

    Very good presentation Paul. Yet I struggle with inconsistency despite several hours of practice a week and reviewing your videos. My questions on stance are 1. Do you push your butt away from the ball like you do on full swing shots? 2. Noting that the weight should be 70% on the front foot how do you balance the weight between the front heel and toes? And 3. Is the swing path straight back and thru or is it on a slight ark back and thru?

  8. October 10, 2014

    JamesChapleau

    Is another cause for fat shots deceleration thru the ball. I think I’ve been doing that too.

    • October 10, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      James,

      If you have the weight on the forward foot even if you decelerated you would still contact the ball first. You are leaning left. How could the club hit the ground behind the ball? Just keep the weight on the left and you will stop the fat shots.

  9. October 11, 2014

    JamesChapleau

    1. Question was do you shove your butt away from the ball as I think you mentioned on full swing shots.

    I think I was putting too much weight on the balls of my front foot and dropping or leaning forward to cause the fat shots. Also, I had the ball more on the instep of my front foot instead of my rear foot. Today I recalled that you feel like you’re swing down with your right hand. Wala. Three very good chips today. A PW 20 yards holed out and two close enough for 1 putts. A GW 15 yards and a 9 iron 25 yards. Thanks again. Jim

    • October 13, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      Jim,

      Glad you got the at shots sorted out. Pretty easy fix really. Definitely need the ball back in your stance so keep checking this.

      Still don’t know what you mean about shoving your butt away from the ball. Butt of the club? Rear end? Not sure.

  10. March 31, 2015

    RonCalabrese

    Hi Paul, I was wondering what you thought of Michelson’s hinge and hold method of chipping. This seems to deviate from Pelz normal way of chipping which is similar to your method. Michelson recommends hinging the wrists immediately and holding the finish with the club and lead arm forming a straight line.. Of course, I realize any method may work if you’re willing to practice hours a day.

    Thanks, Ron

    • March 31, 2015

      Paul Wilson

      Ron,

      Don’t know about it. Mine method works incredibly well with minimal practice. Why try to do anything else?

  11. Paul,
    I know this may sound presumptuous, but I think I actually have something to add to your excellent tips on chipping. I found myself still hitting fat shots, even after applying all of your advice, until I added this one thing: rhythm. Once I added that, and remained careful to apply everything else you recommend, my confidence in hitting chips soared. As long as I do all of that, and also count “1,2” going back, and “1,2” going forward, I almost never hit a fat chip. It has ceased being an issue in my game! I have a feeling you may not fully realize how badly some of us “hackers” screw ourselves up, by our lack of any natural feel for rhythm, until we force ourselves to make rhythm a habit. But rhythm seems to really add to that “repeatability/consistency” issue you are always working to help us achieve. I only wish I could find my rhythm in every other aspect of golf. I think I may have it with putting, to some degree, but am not yet able to feel it with respect to pitching, or the full swing. Any suggestions?

    Thanks again for all of your excellent instruction!

  12. September 14, 2019

    WilliamSayre

    Paul,
    I can chip well off of lies that are sitting up a bit, but struggle with tight lies. Would you expect there to be a small divot after the ball in such situations, which is what I get? If I were using the bounce of the club correctly, I would think the ground ahead would just be slightly “bruised.” Thanks for the great instruction.

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      September 16, 2019

      Paul Wilson

      William,

      Glad you like the tips.

      There would be no divot while chipping. Maybe a slight graze on some chips but you would be hitting the ball first. Think more of putting with the hands ahead. Then think stroke not hit. If you do this with the weight on the forward foot you should be fine from any lie.

  13. October 2, 2020

    jeanlellouche

    Hi Paul,
    I like your technique, and after several months of using, it works very well.
    I have another problem with my short pitches. From time to time, my ball goes to the right direction with a top. 90 % of my short chips are okay with “hinge and turn” , and sometimes i have this bad shot, do you know why ?
    Thanks a lot for your tips
    Jean

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