Beginner vs Advanced Approaches to Chipping

Beginner approach: one reliable motion

If you’re building confidence, start with a basic bump-and-run. Use a pitching wedge or 9-iron, land the ball on the front of the green, and let it roll. Your goal is clean contact and a putt every time.

Advanced approach: more windows

Better chippers control trajectory. They might use a low checking wedge, a soft lob, or a putting-style chip with a hybrid. The technique changes, but the question stays the same: where should it land?

Don’t skip the middle

Shot variety is useful only when the stock chip is solid. If you blade half your lob wedges, the smart advanced move may be choosing the simpler shot.

Progression to follow:

1. Master one low-running chip.
2. Add a standard wedge chip.
3. Add a higher soft shot.
4. Practice poor lies and slopes.
5. Finish with one-ball up-and-down games.

Quick recap

Beginners should chase contact and roll. Advanced players add height, spin, and lie-specific choices. Everyone benefits from choosing the lowest-risk shot that fits the green.