Here are some common mistakes I see golfers making with their chipping.
Topping and Thin Chip Shots
If you are topping or hitting your chip shots thin, there are two possible reasons why you are making this mistake.
If you are swinging the golf club too much from inside to outside, the clubhead is reaching the bottom of the arc behind the ball and by the time the leading edge of the golf club reaches the golf ball, the clubhead is beginning to swing up and the leading edge catches the ball in the middle or top.
Check weight and handle placement. If the tops or thins continues, place the ball further back in your stance.
If you swing the golf club too much from outside to in, the inside of the club will travel too vertical during the downswing. You will either hit tops or fat shots. If the clubhead travels too steep, the bottom of the arc moves from under the ball to on top of the ball.
Check the ball position. Move your right shoulder back an inch or two so the golf club can swing more from the inside.
Chipping too Long
If your technique seems correct and you hit chip shots that run across the green your downswing is too steep. Check the ball position. If the ball is too far back in your stance, this will create too steep of an angle.
Chipping too Short
If your technique seems correct and you continue to hit chip shots that come up short you your downswing is to shallow. The clubhead is coming down too level to the ground.
Check ball position and make sure it is not too far forward. 70% of your weight has to be on your left leg.
Hitting Pulls
If you are pulling your chip shots, the golf club is traveling too much from outside to inside on the downswing and the clubface is aiming left at impact.
Check your ball position. Make sure the ball is slightly back of center and check your shoulder alignment. Be sure your shoulders are parallel to the target line.
Hitting Pushes
If you are pushing your chip shots the golf club is traveling too much from inside to outside in the downswing and the clubface is aiming right at impact.
Once again, check ball position. Make sure the ball is slightly forward of center. Also, check your shoulder alignment and make sure your shoulders are parallel to the target line.
