Page 32 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 45

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Sports Energy Asks Our Local Club Pros

Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
I can’t seem to control the distance of my shot when I’m chipping,

either going too far or not far enough. Can you help me?

Josh Amyot Moe Bellefeuille

Certified Golf Head Golf Professional

Instructor

T o control distance around the D istance control on shots around the game will
Dget better with practice. Here are a few things
Tgreen, we fi rst want to ensure
that will help you with different distances while
that will help you with different distances while
consistent contact in chipping.
consistent contact in chipping. chipping:
chipping:
Practise and experiment until you For a long chip, I address the ball with a slightly
open stance and most of my weight on my left

can find a technique that works
side. Even though the ball is in line with my
for you. Next, we want to control back foot and the shaft is leaning toward the
target, my head is behind the ball. This is crucial
trajectory. This can be done by target, my head is behind the ball. This is crucial
trajectory. This can be done by
to hitting it crisp. From here, I swing the club back
to hitting it crisp. From here, I swing the club back
either changing clubs or opening the
either changing clubs or opening the
and through, and the ball comes off low and rolls a
and through, and the ball comes off low and rolls a
club face to add more loft. An often good distance.
club face to add more loft. An often
distance.
good
overlooked part of all of this is grip When I need to hit a medium-length chip, I play the ball a little farther forward
pressure; loosen your hands and wrists. You’ll feel a in my stance and lean the shaft a little less toward the target. I’m still favouring
my front foot, but my stance isn’t as open because I don’t need as much lower-

loss of control at first, but gain more control in the long body rotation to hit it the correct distance. It’s also important to note that my
run. Final thought: great chippers and putters are visual head position hasn’t changed. Upper Canada Golf Course 613-543-2003 uppercanada.com
people. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you For short chips, my weight distribution is 50-50, the shaft is perpendicular to
the ground, and my hips are fairly square to the ball, which I’m playing off the
can visualize the path the ball is going to take on your heel of my front foot. This allows the natural loft of the club to pop the ball
practice strokes and then execute it just as you saw it. up, so it doesn’t roll very far when it lands.

Carol Ann Campbell Allen McNairn

LPGA Class “A” Pro Shop Manager

Teaching Professional

I f you have a slice you can join the majority of golfers S hort chipping around the green can
you
slice
a
majority
of
golfers
can
join
the
have
f
you
Besides
lessons!

“consistency”
who
Iwho come for lessons! Besides “consistency” it’s
it’
s
come
for
Sbe a problem when you try to help
probably the second-most common problem cited
probably the second-most common problem cited the ball get in the air. The best way
the ball get in the air. The best way
by those looking to improve their swing.
by those looking to improve their swing.
The first thing you want to do it check your to solve this issue is to take a little

alignment. Often when a golfer starts hitting the time and practise this drill. Pick
ball off target, they will compensate by changing a club, a pitching wedge, or sand
their alignment to compensate for what they wedge (not the 60 degree wedge)
expect
a
expect to be a “banana ball”. Unfortunately, this this
,
“banana
ball”.
to

be
Unfortunately
as these are easier to control.
only amplifies the problem. Slices are caused by a
only amplifi es the problem. Slices are caused by a as these are easier to control.

Start by opening your stance, keep
combination of swing path and club face at impact. Start by opening your stance, keep
combination of swing path and club face at impact.
your swing path “cuts” or “slices” across the ball you
I I f f your swing path “cuts” or “slices” across the ball you you hands ahead of the ball, take the
you hands ahead of the ball, take the
will be imparting unwanted spin which will result in a crooked ball club back to 5 o’clock, if you are right handed (7 o’clock
flight. Add to this a club head that is not square at impact and you will be

losing many a ball in the trees. if lefty). Hit the ball and pay attention to how far it flies
First and foremost make sure you are aligned square to your target. Second, and how far it rolls. Now try this with a few different
practise with small swings keeping your non-target shoulder inside or square clubs and vary how far you take back the club. This
to your target line at impact, while you allow your arms to fully extend down will give you a good indication on how far the ball will
the target line. This will prevent you from making the “over-the-top” motion

often associated with a slice. Third, make sure you allow your arms and club fly/roll every time, giving you confidence on short chip
head to fully extend at and beyond impact! shots.
Cornwall Golf 613-931-1300 cornwallgolf.com