The chip and run is one of the most underrated shots in golf. Master it and you’ll shave a lot of shots off your scorecard. Get it wrong and you’ll struggle to get up and down when you miss a green.
A study carried out by Arccos revealed that golfers with a handicap of 25 hit an average of 16% of greens in regulation. That’s only 3 greens each round, and where the humble chip and run really comes into its own.
If you could get up and down on just a third of the greens you miss, you’d save yourself at least five shots every 18-hole round. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?
Well, master the chip and run and you’ll be a long way to getting there.
How to play a chip and run
The aim of a chip and run is for the ball to spend more time on the ground than it does in the air. So try to land the ball on the first point of the green, then let it roll out to the hole.
Depending on how much time you need the ball to be in the air vs how much you need it to roll will determine which club you use.
For example, if you only need to fly the ball say 25% of the way and roll out 75%, then you might use a 9-iron. But if you need the ball in the air for 50% of the time and on the ground for 50% of the time, you’d most likely use a pitching wedge.
The more consistent you become at playing a chip and run, the easier you’ll find it to choose the right club for each shot.
Here’s how to play a chip and run:
- Set up is key: Take a narrow stance – with your feet just less than hip-width apart – and position the ball close to your back foot. This is your right foot if you’re right-handed.
- Stand closer to the ball: Place your hands lower down the grip and stand closer to the ball. The shaft of your club will be more upright compared to when you play a normal shot.
- Lean everything forward: Lean your weight on your front foot and press your hands towards the target.
- Pick a landing spot: Pick the spot where you want to land the ball, leaving enough space for it to roll out towards the hole.
- Rock your shoulders: Rock your shoulders to hit the shot and let the club do the work – you don’t need to hinge your wrists.
Chip and run drill
I’ve shared a few variations of this, but it’s by far one of my favourite short-game drills. It’s simple and it doesn’t take long. And it emulates exactly what you’d do on the golf course – which is what I think makes it so effective.
The aim is to get up and down – or to get the ball in the hole – in as few shots as possible. Simply chip, then putt and keep score as you go.
18 is the desired number here but trust me when I say, that’s not easy to reach. You’re doing really well if you get up and down even a couple of times so stick with it!
Here’s how to play:
- Choose nine spots around the practice green to chip from. Pick three easy, three medium and three difficult, plus a variety of lengths to get used to playing with different clubs.
- Now your aim is to get up and down – in two shots – with each ball.
- Play a chip and run, then putt until the ball is in the hole.
- Keep a note of your score then move on to the next location.
Check out even more short game drills and let us know how you get on!
