Chip Shots from Awkward Lies – Part 1
Here are some tips and techniques for chipping from awkward lies.
We’ve already looked at chipping from an upslope or chipping from a downslope in another lesson so this lesson will focus on bare/tight lies and heavy lies.
Bare / tight lies are notoriously difficult to chip from because it’s so easy to hit the ball thin. And thin chips are fairly destructive because they travel a long way, so it’s little wonder that most amateur golfers play this shot with much trepidation.
Watch the video below to see how I recommend you tackle the tight lie chip shot:
Tight Lie Chip Shot – Step by Step
- Play the golf ball back in your stance, almost off the back foot. This will help you to strike down on the ball a little bit more, reducing the chances of a thin contact.
- I recommend you play a bump and run shot from a bare lie wherever possible. That’s because a chip and run shot with a 7-iron requires a shorter backswing and less power than a chip with a lob wedge. A poorly struck chip and run will turn out similar to a well struck chip and run. A poorly struck lob wedge (that requires a much long backswing) will usually end up costing you shots.
- Keep the bodyweight predominantly (70%) on the front foot. Your hands should be well ahead of the ball with the club shaft pointing into your left hip.
