The 2 Most Common Chipping Mistakes Beginners Make

The short game can be one of the most frustrating parts of the game to master.

Chipping in particular tends to trip up a lot of new players, leading to inconsistent results and higher scores.

While there are many potential issues that can crop up with your chipping technique, two of the most common mistakes we see from beginner golfers are:

• Poor Pace

• Struggling to Bottom Out in the Proper Location

Let’s take a closer look at each of these chipping mistakes, why they happen and what you can do to correct them.

Mistake #1: Poor Pace

One of the hallmarks of a poor chipping stroke is when the club head travels in a jerky, inconsistent fashion.

Some players swing the club head way too fast, while others struggle to generate any pace at all.

Both of these issues can wreak havoc on your chipping distance control.

The main culprit behind poor chipping pace is lack of swing tempo and rhythm.

Many beginner golfers have a tendency to “hit” at the ball rather than swinging the club with a smooth, pendulum–like motion.

This leads to either overly quick, herky–jerky swings or excessively tentative, slow swings.

Another common cause is tension in the hands, arms and body.

When you grip the club too tightly and fail to stay relaxed, it becomes very difficult to control the club head speed and produce a consistent strike.

The key to dialing in your chipping pace is to focus on developing a smooth, rhythmic swing.

Start by taking some practice swings, paying close attention to keeping the tempo even and unhurried.

Visualize the club head moving back and forth in a consistent, pendulum–like motion.

As you swing, make sure to maintain a light grip pressure and keep your body relaxed.

Avoid the temptation to dramatically decelerate or “steer” the club through impact.

Instead, let the club naturally flow through the ball with a steady pace.

You can also try some pace–focused drills, like setting up tees or alignment sticks at different distances and chipping to them, focusing solely on landing the ball softly at the target.

Experiment with different backswing lengths and club selections to dial in your distance control.

Mistake #2: Struggling To Bottom Out In The Proper Location

Even if you have a nice, smooth chipping stroke, you’ll still struggle to hit consistent, crisp chips if you can’t get the club to bottom out correctly.

Hitting the ball first rather than the turf or bottoming out too far behind the ball, are common issues.

The main reasons beginners have trouble with their chipping bottom–out location are:

• Improper weight distribution and balance. Many new golfers have a tendency to either hang back on their right side or get too far forward, both of which can cause the club to bottom out at the wrong spot.

• Incorrect head and spine position. If your head moves excessively or your spine angle changes significantly through the swing, it disrupts the low point of your swing arc.

• Lack of rotation and release. Without clearing your hips and fully releasing the club through impact, it becomes very difficult to consistently catch the ball cleanly.

To improve your chipping bottom–out, start by checking your setup and body position.

Make sure your weight is distributed evenly between your feet, with your head still and your spine angle maintained throughout the swing.

Pay close attention to your hip and body rotation through impact.

Focus on clearing your hips and releasing the club freely rather than restricting your motion.

This will help ensure the low point of your swing occurs just ahead of the ball.

You can also practice some chipping drills that emphasize hitting the turf first.

Try setting up some tees or alignment rods slightly in front of the ball to encourage a proper bottoming out.

Spend time chipping over different grass lengths and lies to get a feel for the ideal turf contact.

With consistent practice and a focus on these key technical elements, you’ll be knocking those chip shots stiff in no time.