Instruction – Consistency is Key

Do you ever struggle wondering how to get more consistent contact when chipping or pitching? Here are several drills explaining why you hit chips and pitches fat, thin and even top or shank pitches and chips.

There are a few different ways to do this drill, depending on if you hit the ball in the heel or toe of the clubhead. If you hit the ball on the toe of the clubhead, place a head cover a couple inches inside the golf ball and miss the head cover. The more in to out your club path is through impact when chipping and pitching, the more you will hit the ball on the toe of the clubhead. Now, if you hit the ball in the heel of the clubface, you need to do the opposite. Place a headcover a couple inches outside of the golf ball and hit shots missing the headcover. The more out to in your path is through impact when chipping and pitching, the more you will hit the ball in the heel of the clubhead.

Have you ever heard of low point control or angle of attack? Having consistent low point control and angle of attack will help golfers to have more consistent contact. Having a downward angle of attack when chipping is very important to get rid of thin, fat and topped shots. If your clubhead is ascending through impact, this can make you top, thin, or hit the ball fat. This drill will ensure you have a descending blow through impact, rather than ascending blow. When you perform the drill, have the thought of the clubhead moving above the towel on the takeaway (hinging the clubhead up), then finishing with the clubhead low to the ground (picture high to low swing with the clubhead).

To perform this drill, place a towel folded where it is half an inch or one inch in thickness and place the towel four to six inches behind the golf ball, from here hit shots trying NOT to hit the towel. If you hit the towel, this can be because you stop rotating your body through impact, finishing with your chest facing straight ahead instead of facing the target. Another reason you hit the towel can be you have an ascending blow or upward angle of attack through impact, rather than descending angle of attack. Focus on hitting through the ball and the grass just in front of the golf ball to ensure you have a descending blow, instead of an ascending blow (hitting up on the ball). Another feeling to help with having a descending angle of attack can be to feel like you are going to stab the ground in front of the towel with the leading edge of the clubhead rather than trying to lift the ball in the air and hit the ball. Always focus on swinging through the ball instead of at the ball.

If you struggle with connection, poor contact, or the chicken wing, grab a tie and place it around your neck and make it to where you can grip one side of the tie with your lead hand and one side with your trail hand. Make sure there is little slack in the tie when you set up.

This will help you to feel the arms, chest and club all connected throughout the entire chip or pitch. Maintain this lead-arm-to-chest connection throughout the entire chip or pitch. You should feel resistance in the tie after you hit. If you don’t feel resistance in the tie after you make contact, be sure to make several small practice swings hip high to hip high in length, brushing the grass and making sure to finish with resistance in the tie. Once you have done this, hit some shots, feeling the same resistance the entire swing. 

Kirsten Pike is the lead Teaching Professional at Las Colinas Country Club. To improve your scores follow her on Instagram at kirstenpike_golfinstruction and visit kpikegolf.wixsite.com