I Used to Dread the Short Shots More Than the Long Ones, and That's Saying Something
Okay, so here's what nobody tells you: the scariest shot in golf for a beginner isn't the drive—it's the little chip from ten yards off the green. You'll stand there with your wedge, overthinking everything, and either chunk it two feet or skull it across the green into the opposite bunker. I did both so many times that I started hoping my approach shots would land in the sand just so I wouldn't have to chip. That's when I knew I had to fix it. And here's the good news: chipping is one of the easiest parts of golf to learn, because it doesn't require power or a perfect swing. It just requires a simple technique and the right mental approach. I'll teach you the exact method that finally turned my short game from a nightmare into something I actually look forward to.
My name's Maya Chen, and I've been where you are. I started golf in 2023, and for my first year, every chip was an adventure in terror. Then a patient man named Earl showed me the basics on a practice green in Beckley, and everything changed. This guide is what he taught me, filtered through my own nervous hands and two years of practice. By the end, you'll have a chip shot you can trust—or at least one that doesn't make you want to throw your wedge into the pond.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
I'm not a pro, and I won't pretend that I've mastered the short game. But I've made every chipping mistake a beginner can make, and I've learned which fixes actually work. I've chunked chips, skulled chips, and once bladed a chip so badly it flew over the green and nearly hit a man on the next tee. I know the fear, the frustration, and the slow path to competence. I'm the friend who's already embarrassed herself on every local green so you don't have to. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for asking what a bump-and-run is. I had to look it up too.
The Basic Chip Shot: Keep It Simple
For a beginner, there are two types of chip shots you'll use most: the basic bump-and-run with a short iron, and a slightly higher chip with a wedge. Let's start with the simpler one, because it's the one that will save you the most strokes.
The bump-and-run: Grab an 8-iron or 9-iron instead of a wedge. Use your putting grip and putting stance—feet close together, weight slightly on your front foot, and the ball just back of center. Make a putting stroke, not a big swing. The ball will pop up, land on the green, and roll like a putt. That's it. It's not flashy, but it works. I've used this shot more times than I can count, and it's saved my scorecard countless times.
The higher chip with a wedge: If you have to carry a little rough or a sprinkler head, grab a pitching wedge or sand wedge. Set up similar to the bump-and-run, but with the ball a touch more forward in your stance. Keep your hands ahead of the ball and your weight on your front foot. Now make a slightly longer putting stroke, brushing the grass under the ball. Don't try to scoop it. Let the club do the work. The ball will fly low, land soft, and roll a little. That's the chip.
The key to both shots is the same: a quiet lower body and a pendulum-like motion with your arms and shoulders. No wrist flip. No big swing. Just a smooth, controlled motion, like you're tossing a ball underhand. I still say "toss" in my head before every chip, and it keeps me from overhitting.
Three Common Mistakes That Ruin Your Chip Shots
I made all three of these, and I still catch myself doing them when I get nervous. Here's what to watch for.
1. Trying to scoop the ball. Beginners think they need to help the ball up, so they flip their wrists at impact. That leads to skulls and chunks. The club's loft already gets the ball up—you just need to hit down slightly and let the club do its job. Imagine brushing the grass under the ball, not lifting it.
2. Decelerating into the ball. When you're scared of hitting it too far, you slow down before impact. That causes the club to stick in the ground—the classic chunk. Commit to the shot. Take the club back short, then accelerate through the ball. Even if it goes a little far, it's better than chunking it two feet.
3. Using your wrists instead of your shoulders. A chip shot is basically a long putt. Your wrists should stay quiet, and the motion should come from your shoulders rocking back and through. Think of a pendulum. If your wrists flick, the contact becomes inconsistent, and you'll hit fat or thin. Keep your arms and shoulders as a triangle, and let that triangle swing.
Three Simple Drills to Build a Reliable Chip
You don't need a fancy practice facility. You can do these at home or on a quiet practice green. I did most of them on my living room carpet, and they translated directly to the course.
Drill 1: The Towel Drill. Place a small towel or headcover about six inches behind the ball. Make chip swings without hitting the towel. This teaches you to hit down on the ball with a descending strike, which is the secret to crisp contact. I did this for five minutes a day for two weeks, and my chunks disappeared.
Drill 2: The One-Handed Chip. Chip a few balls using only your left hand on the club (for righties). This forces you to keep your wrist firm and use your shoulders. It feels odd, but it trains the correct motion. I'll hit ten one-handed chips, then ten two-handed, and the difference is immediate.
Drill 3: The Landing Spot Game. Pick a spot on the green where you want the ball to land, and try to land it there. Don't worry about the hole yet—just the spot. This teaches distance control and focus. I turn it into a little game: three balls, three spots, and I have to land each one within a club length of its spot. It's weirdly fun, and it made me a much better chipper.
If you want a cheap net to practice at home, here's a search for golf chipping nets on Amazon. They're under $30 and worth every penny. If you're on a really tight budget, DHgate has cheaper nets with slower shipping—order early if you want one for the weekend. But honestly, a couch cushion and a few balls work just fine. That's what I started with.
Red Flags: Signs You're About to Chunk It Again
If you see these warning signs before a chip, step back and reset. I still do this on the course when I feel the panic rising.
🚩 You're thinking "don't chunk it." Your body will do exactly what you're afraid of. Replace that thought with "brush the grass."
🚩 Your weight is on your back foot. That makes you hit up on the ball and skull it. Set up with your weight forward and keep it there.
🚩 Your backswing is too long. A chip only needs a short backswing. If you take it back past your waist, you're overcomplicating it. Short back, accelerate through.
🚩 Your wrists are loose and flip at impact. Keep them firm. The triangle of your arms and shoulders should stay connected.
If you notice any of these, take a breath, pick a spot, and commit to a smooth, simple motion. The worst chips come from fear and overthinking. The best chips come from a calm mind and a quiet body.
What to Do When You Finally Hit a Clean Chip
The first time you hit a chip that lands softly and rolls close, you'll feel a little jolt of pure satisfaction. It's not as flashy as a long drive, but it's the shot that actually saves your score. I remember my first good chip—it was a bump-and-run from just off the green at a local Beckley course, and it rolled to two feet. I tapped in for par, and I walked off that green feeling like I'd cracked the code. That's the feeling that keeps you coming back.
If you want to build a full short-game practice routine, I've got a guide on golf practice routine for beginners that includes chipping, putting, and range work. And if you're still working on your full swing, start with golf swing basics before you dive into the short game. You need both.
Who Should NOT Obsess Over Chipping Yet
If you're brand new and still learning to make any contact at all, then don't worry about chipping yet. Spend a few weeks on the range with your 7-iron, get comfortable swinging, and then add chipping to your practice. You can't chip if you can't hit a ball. Start with Maya's swing basics guide and come back to this when you're ready.
If you're a low-handicap golfer with a solid short game, this article is too basic for you. Go work on your spin control, and leave us beginners to our bump-and-runs.
And if you're dealing with a wrist or elbow injury, be careful with chipping—especially if you tend to flip your wrists. A lesson or a doctor's advice might be wise before you start practicing. The technique I've described is gentle, but any repetitive motion can aggravate an existing issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chipping for Beginners
What club should a beginner use for chipping?
Start with an 8-iron or 9-iron for the bump-and-run. It's the easiest, most forgiving chip shot. As you get comfortable, you can add a pitching wedge or sand wedge for higher chips. I still use my 8-iron more than any other club around the green.
How do I stop chunking chip shots?
The most common cause of chunking is deceleration—slowing down before impact because you're afraid of hitting too far. Commit to the shot, take a short backswing, and accelerate through the ball. Also check your ball position and weight: ball slightly back, weight on your front foot.
Should I use my wrists when chipping?
No. Keep your wrists firm and let the motion come from your shoulders. Think of a pendulum or a putting stroke. If your wrists flip, you'll hit fat or thin shots. The triangle of your arms and shoulders should stay intact.
How far should I take the club back on a chip?
Not far. For most chip shots, the clubhead should go back only a little past your back foot. The longer the backswing, the harder it is to control distance. Take it back short, and accelerate through the ball. You can always take more club if you need more distance.
Can I practice chipping at home?
Absolutely. Use a chipping net or just a couch cushion and a few foam balls. Practice your pendulum motion, the towel drill, and the landing spot game. I did most of my early chipping practice on my living room carpet, and it translated directly to the course. Ten minutes a day works wonders.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you've got the basic chip, the next step is to build a full short-game practice plan. My practice routine guide covers chipping, putting, and range work so you can improve without wasting time. Then check out swing basics if you need to work on the full swing.
If you want to practice your chipping on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to a practice green or a quiet hole where you can work on your short game. And if you need a few extra balls to practice with, the beginner gear hub has you covered without overspending.
Remember, chipping is the friendliest part of golf. It doesn't need power; it just needs a little faith and a quiet body. Now go brush some grass and watch the ball roll close. You've got this.