Checking Chip Technique

Golf Monthly top 25 coach Paul Foston demonstrates how to hitting the checking chip

By
published
(Image credit: Tom Miles)

Golf Monthly top 25 coach Paul Foston demonstrates the checking chip technique

You struggle to control your chip shots

You want to be more aggressive from short range

Fix: Checking Chip Technique

The old method of playing a chip shot that checked up was to play it off the back foot, hinge your wrists and stop the left wrist from collapsing on the way through. This was inconsistent, as the ball wouldn't check up every time. It was also a high-risk strategy.

The introduction of 60-degree wedges has meant that we no longer need to do that. Instead, the bounce and loft of the club can be utilised. With a neutral set-up and square clubface, the key is letting the club release through the impact area. You should feel as though the club is overtaking the ball after impact. This allows the bounce to work properly, and the club will brush the grass.

Even if you catch the ground first, it won't dig in like the old method. Hinge the wrists slightly on the way back, and then really focus on releasing the club on the way through. This will help to consistently produce chip shots that bounce once then check and stop quickly.

Lee Heaton
Freelance Writer

Lee was a freelance writer for Golf Monthly from 2013 to 2015.