Ava Romero
Chipping yips are a common problem in golf, causing players to lose confidence and struggle with their short game. While the root cause of yips is debated, with some attributing it to mental factors and others to physical or mechanical issues, there are techniques and drills that can help players improve their chipping accuracy and consistency. This includes focusing on posture, stance, and setup, as well as understanding flight-to-roll ratios and mastering the chip shot technique. Additionally, players can explore different drills, such as the one by Butch Harmon, which addresses the left arm stopping during the swing, or the one by Kevin Kisner, which focuses on keeping the club in sync with the body.
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What You'll Learn
Address the mental aspect of chipping yips
While the causes of the "chipping yips" are still debated, many golfers believe that they are predominantly mental. This phenomenon can be described as a physical manifestation of mental interference. In other words, the yips are when a golfer perceives that they are "stabbing or jerking at the ball upon impact", in an uncontrollable manner.
To address the mental aspect of the chipping yips, golfers should work on strengthening and conditioning their minds to remain calm and concentrated during their shots. This involves developing the ability to focus and concentrate, so that golfers can enter a relaxed state of mind where their body can perform the task at hand naturally. Golfers can imagine themselves performing a simple task that they are confident doing, such as driving or brushing their teeth, to help them enter this state.
Golfers should also work on changing their attitude towards the yips. They should be patient and persistent in their efforts to overcome them, as developing mental faculty takes time. Golfers can also try to "fake" confidence, looking forward to their shots instead of dreading them, which can help them pull off their desired shots more often.
Additionally, golfers can seek out mental coaching or read books and articles on the topic to help them address the mental aspects of the chipping yips.
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Improve your chipping technique
Chipping is a short-game stroke in which the ball carries into the air and then rolls an equal distance or slightly longer than it carries. It is a great way to lower your score and build your confidence.
To improve your chipping technique, you need to start with a good posture. Bend forward from the hips and let your arms hang directly below your shoulders. This creates a space for your arms and club to swing. Keep your upper body tilted towards the target and your arms intact and quiet during the motion.
Next, you need to understand flight-to-roll ratios. Does your ball fly one-third of the distance and then roll the other two-thirds? Place a tee or golf club one-third of the way between your ball and the hole. Try to land your ball on the tee and observe how much it rolls afterward.
Now, let's talk about your stance and setup. Grip lower on the handle and narrow your stance so your feet are about one clubhead apart. This will help you make a clean strike. Remember the golden rule: hit down to make the ball go up.
Finally, keep your wrists soft and relaxed so they can move around subtly. For most chips, move the ball position just off your lead instep. Instead of manipulating your wrists, hands, or club face, let the club dictate the shot. Address the ball in a slightly more upright position and let the weight of the head do its work on the downswing.
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Understand flight-to-roll ratios
Understanding the flight-to-roll ratio is essential for golfers to execute accurate and effective chips in various conditions. The flight-to-roll ratio refers to the relationship between the distance a golf ball travels in the air and the distance it rolls on the ground after landing. This ratio is influenced by factors such as club selection, stroke technique, and course conditions.
Firstly, the choice of club significantly impacts the flight-to-roll ratio. Different clubs have different loft angles, which affect the ball's trajectory and spin. A higher-lofted wedge, for instance, will result in more height and spin, leading to a shorter roll. In contrast, a lower-lofted club, such as a 7-iron, will produce a lower trajectory and less spin, resulting in a longer roll. The amount of spin on the ball is crucial, as it can affect the roll distance. Higher backspin rates tend to reduce the roll, while lower spin rates allow the ball to release and roll further.
Secondly, the technique employed by the golfer plays a vital role in achieving the desired flight-to-roll ratio. A smooth, controlled stroke with minimal wrist action and a slight forward shaft lean is recommended for effective chipping. Maintaining a consistent stroke length across different clubs can also help in achieving predictable flight-to-roll ratios. Additionally, making solid contact with the ball is essential. This can be achieved by avoiding a scooping motion and instead clipping the ground just after impact, ensuring that the clubface catches the sweet spot. Relaxed hands and arms are crucial for achieving solid contact, allowing the weight of the clubhead to do the work.
Lastly, course conditions, such as turf firmness, green speed, and weather, can significantly impact the flight-to-roll ratio. Adjustments to technique and club selection may be necessary when playing on wet or dry grass, or when facing windy conditions. For example, in wet conditions, adding loft and spin to the ball can help reduce the roll distance and achieve a more precise landing spot. Conversely, on firm and dry courses, lower and more penetrating drives can yield increased roll distances.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to determining the flight-to-roll ratio, golfers can benefit from understanding the underlying principles and variables involved. By experimenting with different clubs, refining their stroke techniques, and considering course conditions, golfers can develop a feel for the ratios and make more informed decisions during their gameplay.
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Adjust your stance and setup
Adjusting your stance and setup is key to improving your chipping technique. Here are some tips to help you fix your chipping in golf:
First, it's important to understand what a chip shot is. It's a short-game stroke where the ball carries into the air and then rolls an equal or slightly longer distance than it carries. This knowledge will help you adjust your stance and setup appropriately.
Good posture is essential. Bend forward from your hips and let your arms hang directly below your shoulders. Avoid a squatty posture, as it can lead to inconsistent contact. A good posture creates a space for your arms and club to swing and is the foundation for adjusting your stance to suit the shot.
When adjusting your stance, narrow your feet to about one clubhead apart. This position will help guarantee that the bottom of your stroke bottoms out after contact for a clean strike. Keep your upper body tilted toward the target to facilitate a descending blow.
Additionally, grip lower on the handle, also known as choking down on the club. This technique, combined with a good posture and narrow stance, will ensure a clean strike. Remember the golden rule: "Hit down to make the ball go up."
Finally, think about your arms and shoulders forming a triangle during the motion. Your goal is to keep that triangle intact as you move through your chipping stroke. Keep your arms relatively intact and quiet, similar to your putting stroke.
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Practice drills to improve chipping
Chipping is a crucial aspect of golf, and it's natural to want to improve your skills. Here are some practice drills that can help you enhance your chipping technique and build confidence in your short game:
The Alignment Stick Drill
This drill, recommended by Jon Hearn, who has worked with Justin Rose on his short game, helps maintain proper arm and club position to prevent flipping your wrists during impact. Start by gripping an alignment stick as if it's an extension of your club. Position the stick so that it touches your ribcage, with your hands slightly in front of the ball. Begin hitting chips, ensuring that your left arm forms a "y" during your backswing, and keep the alignment stick as an extension of your shaft. Start with hip-height swings and gradually increase your range of motion. The alignment stick will provide immediate feedback if you're breaking down and flipping your wrists, as it will smack into your side at impact.
The Hula Hoop Drill
Set up a hula hoop (or a similar-sized circle made with string) near a hole. Place golf balls at 5-yard intervals from the hoop, ranging from 5 to 40 yards. Start chipping from the ball closest to the hoop, aiming to land it within the hoop. For each successful chip, move to the next ball, increasing the distance. This drill challenges you to master various types of chip shots and helps you track your progress.
The Coin Drill
This drill can be easily done at home and helps improve your accuracy and contact with the ball. Place some coins on a carpet and try to chip them into the air, aiming for clean contact. You can set up a cup in the middle of the floor and try to chip the coins into it, counting how many out of 10 coins you can successfully chip into the cup. This drill will help you develop pin-point accuracy and force you to stay down through the chip.
The Butch Harmon Drill
This drill, recommended by renowned golf coach Butch Harmon, addresses the issue of "yips," which is when the lead hand stops just before impact, causing the trail hand to flip. To fix this, set up in your normal chipping stance, with your feet narrow, the ball off the back foot, and 60-70% of your weight on your front foot. Make your chipping stroke, but release the trail hand just before impact. Focus on keeping your lead arm swinging directly towards the target. This drill trains your body to avoid the common mistake of flipping the trail hand before impact.
The Kevin Kisner Drill
YouTuber Kevin Kisner has a helpful chipping lesson for amateur golfers. In the video, he demonstrates the importance of keeping your club in sync with your body to avoid thin or chunked chips. This drill can be easily practiced in your backyard, helping you develop a consistent rhythm and feel for chipping.
Remember, consistent practice is key to improving your chipping skills. Commit to spending at least one full hour a week for the next three weeks working on your chipping, and you'll likely see noticeable improvements in your golf game.
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Frequently asked questions
The chipping yips are a sudden and unexplained loss of fine motor skills in golfers, resulting in poor chipping. You may have the yips if you consistently make poor chip shots, chunks, or skulls.
The cause of the chipping yips is debated. Some believe it is a mental issue, while others attribute it to physical or mechanical problems. It may be caused by a combination of factors, including fear, tension, and a lack of confidence.
To fix the chipping yips, you can try addressing the underlying fear or tension holding you back. You can also try adjusting your stance, grip, and posture. Focus on keeping your hands ahead of the clubhead and maintaining soft and relaxed wrists.
Yes, there are drills that can help improve your chipping. One drill is to focus on flight-to-roll ratios by placing a tee or golf club one-third of the way between your ball and the hole. Try to land the ball on the tee and observe its roll. Additionally, you can watch videos by Kevin Kisner and Phil Mickelson, which provide helpful tips and techniques for chipping.
To prevent the chipping yips, focus on building your confidence with chipping drills and practice. Ensure you have a good posture and grip, and keep your upper body tilted toward the target. Remember that chipping is a low-maintenance stroke that can help lower your scores, so focus on mastering this skill.
