The Thesis
Chipping is the art of turning three shots into two. It is the bridge between the air and the ground. Tiger Woods calls it the "simple one-two action," emphasizing that a good chip is about technique, not strength.
The definition of a chip is a shot that spends more time on the ground than in the air. The biggest error amateurs make is trying to 'lift' the ball, resulting in skulls and chunks. Tom Watson identifies this as the "flip" or trying to help the ball into the air, which ruins the consistent contact needed for scoring.
The Conflict
How much should the hands be involved?
The Active Hands (Mickelson & Woods):
Tiger Woods aligns with Phil Mickelson's "Hinge and Hold" philosophy for rough lies. He says, "The swinging of the arms and hands... provides the touch." For rough, he advocates a steeper angle of attack. "I restrict my follow-through... if I hit down sharply, there won't be any follow-through."
Mickelson famously argues: 'Break your wrists early... and accelerate through the ball... There is no release.'
The Dead Hands (Pelz & Watson):
Dave Pelz advocates 'Dead Hands' (or the Putting Chip), suggesting a stroke with no wrist cock to eliminate variables.
Tom Watson agrees for standard lies. He says, "The stroke may be short, but it's not a stab... A good thought is to return the arms to the position they were in at address." He emphasizes keeping the lower body quiet to ensure solid contact.
The Mentalist (Rotella):
Dr. Bob Rotella warns that mechanics are secondary to intent. "The main thing is that the player be thinking about chipping the ball in the hole, not just getting it on the green." He argues that indecision about the type of shot causes more errors than the technique itself.
The Conflict: Mickelson/Woods want active wrists for control in rough. Pelz/Watson want quiet hands for consistency on tight lies.
The Synthesis (Best Practice)
Both are correct, but for different situations. A 'one-size-fits-all' chip is a myth.
The Best Practice:
1. The 'Dead Hands' Chip (Pelz/Watson Style)
- Use this for: Tight Lies and Fast Greens.
- Why: When the ball is sitting on tight grass, the leading edge of the wedge can easily dig or bounce if the angle is too steep.
- Technique: Tom Watson advises, "I keep my lower body quiet... swinging mostly my arms." Treat it like a putt with a lofted club.
[Image: Side-by-side comparison showing Dead Hands chip technique with ball back, handle forward, pendulum motion]
2. The 'Hinge and Hold' Chip (Mickelson/Woods Style)
- Use this for: Rough or Soft Greens.
- Why: In the rough, you need a steeper angle to minimize grass interference. Tiger Woods notes: "The rough will try to twist the clubface closed... I hold the club more firmly than normal."
- Technique: Hinge wrists immediately, accelerate hands through, and as Tiger says, "Restrict my follow-through."
[Image: Side-by-side comparison showing Hinge and Hold chip technique with wrists hinged early, hands ahead of clubhead through impact]
3. The Setup Constant (Woods):
Regardless of the style, Tiger Woods insists on a specific setup: "I lean a little toward the target... I narrow my stance... I position the ball slightly back of center." This pre-sets the downward blow required for clean contact.
The Drill
The Extension Stick
Goal: To prevent the "flip" (wrist breakdown) common in chipping.
The Setup:
- 1. Hold an alignment stick (or a second club) against the grip of your wedge so it extends 2 feet past the grip end.
- 2. Take your chipping stance. The stick should be along your left side (ribs).
[Image: Golfer holding a club with an alignment stick extending from the grip under the left armpit, showing the setup for the extension stick drill]
The Action:
Make chip shots.
The Check:
If you "flip" your wrists (trying to lift the ball), the stick will smack you in the left ribs.
The Goal:
Keep the stick away from your body by rotating the chest and keeping the hands ahead of the clubhead. As Tiger Woods emphasizes, "I don't rotate my hands and the clubhead dramatically through impact... the clubface should be aiming at the sky."
The Lesson:
Whether you use "Dead Hands" or "Hinge and Hold," the lead wrist must never collapse. Impact is a collision where the hands win the race, not the clubhead.