The Board of Education
The Board of Education
By Dr. T. J. Tomasi, Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty Member
and Director of Research
I tell all my students that spin is the enemy of roll, so they should chip the ball rather than pitch it as a first choice. As a rule, use the least lofted club that the situation allows since loft adds spin and spin is tough to judge.
The Mechanics of Roll
Crisp contact should be your number one priority when you chip the ball so that it rolls end over end with no sidespin. Mark your ball with an arrow to check out the roll. To roll it correctly, you must hit the ball with a descending blow, so you pinch the back of the ball with a dead-center hit. Setting up two boards, as shown below, will help you get the feel of the angles needed for accurate chipping.
Place one board along your toe line parallel to your intended line of flight and another perpendicular to the first about 5 inches behind your back foot. Then take your chipping stance, making sure that you do the following:
- Place your feet about six inches apart (measured between the inside of your heels);
- Position the ball just behind your back heel;
- Angle the shaft toward your front shoulder with the clubface aiming down the line of start;
- Position 90% of your weight on your front foot and leave it there.
- Choice of the proper club depends on how much roll you need, and the less loft, the better.
If you’ve set-up properly, you should be able to make a back stoke that clears the backboard then follows the arrow down to the ball without hitting the board.
Remember that in chipping there is no need for power, so you don’t have to hinge your wrists to swing over the board. The chip is simply a teeter-totter motion where your shoulders move the clubhead back and through the ball. This creates the proper angles for both your backswing and your downswing. If you hit the board on the backswing, you’re moving the clubhead too level with the ground.
On the downstroke, you must clear the board again. If you break down your wrists or shift weight to your back foot, you’ll hit the board on your approach to the ball. But not to worry, the board will show you the correct angle of descent, and with a little practice, you’ll be swinging with the steepness necessary for accurate chips that hold the target line.
Hold your position at the end of your chip as I have done in this picture and check your finish position. If done correctly, your finish should be about the same length as your backstroke, insuring proper acceleration through the ball.
If you’d like to study with Dr. Tomasi and other PGA Master Professionals, contact The College of Golf today.
