How do I spin or stop my chips shots around the green? I see Pro's do it all the time, what is the technique?

Question

I am talking about the 10, 20 , 30 foot chips that I would like to learn how to run it up by the hole and then spin or stop close (Bite). I have heard many ways on how to do this, but none have worked so far.

Answer 1

The strike the ball very hard, creating a great deal of backspin.

The other half of that, though, is that the greens on Tour typically are very different from the ones we weekend hackers play.

Answer 2

I could never get spin on a ball until someone introduced me to the Bob Vokey wedge. It's got a specially milled face so the ball grips the face of the club and spin happens without you doing anything different to your normal shot.

This club sorted out my short game and boosted my confidence no end. Splash out on one, you won't regret it.

Answer 3

choke down on ur club and hit down at it, down come down from the side but from the top

Answer 4

Hitting down on the ball is key. You need to hit the ball crisp. And hit it first before you hit the ground. This creates maximum spin. the ProV1 is famous for its spin. Also, I am a big fan of Dave Pelz (Mickelson's coach) and his short game bible. Also, practicing as much as you can is critical to  groove what I call a mindless swing. For this, I recommend the P3 almostGolf ball to practice around the yard of park because it has internal pressure and gives real feedback without breaking anything. It obsoletes the wiffle ball, hands down. A bucket a day will give you real touch around the greens.

Best of luck

Answer 5

Contact between the ball and the grooves of your wedge is what imparts spin onto the golf ball and result in the characteristic bite you are talking about.  Acheiving this is relatively simple however your question is how to stop it close, this is a different issue as much time and practice goes into stopping the ball around the hole.  Stopping it close require several things not associated with the actual swing.  A good ball, it is very difficult to stop a top-flite XL on a dime.  However, you also do not need a $50/dozen pro V1, middle of the road balls ie the ~$25/dozen should work.  Also, a decent wedge that is not completely worn out is necessary.  Finally, the green must be receptive enough to allow the ball to spin (can't be like a driveway.)  

Alright, now for the actual swing.  It is important to play the ball back in your stance so that you hit the ball with a descending blow and result in the ball traveling up all of the grooves and receiving more backward spin.  If you are only 10 yards away, I recommend a high lofted club like a 60* wedge b/c you wont get the ball high enough anyways, from 20 - 30 yards I recommend a gap wedge (52 or 53* with low bounce) so the ball doesnt go too high and it lands on the green, bounces towards the hole then stops.  

Something else i find helpful is opening your stance b/c hip and shoulder rotation is inconseqential so opening the stances allows for a nice, free swing with an open look towards the hole.

Practice this and eventually it will come to you, good luck, I've been playing for years at a decent handicap and still can't make it stop anywhere near the way the pro's do...thats why they're pros!

Answer 6

Wow ok just because you write a page on the subject, doesnt mean that it is correct...

There are actually many ways to do this shot with many different wedge angles.  The biggest thing is to make sure you have good ball contact.  Hit the ball in the center of the club, that is the first major step.  Secondly, try to keep your hands in front of the shaft throughout the entire swing, until the followthrough at least.  Follow through, that is important as well.  Finally, use the wedge's grooves and lie angles properly.  That is, let the club do most of the work.  Dont try to force spin, this doesnt work.  You must hit down on the ball, but you can also hit the shot without having a V type swing.  If that was the only case, there would be no way to have any spin  out of the bunkers.  For all of the different wedge angles, each will have a different type of shot pattern and spin rate.  So just keep practicing and it will happen.

Also, you migh need a new wedge with sharper grooves.  

Try the Taylormade TP Y cut groove, Titleist Spin Milled Vokey, or maybe the Cleveland CG12 Y Cut groove.

Answer 7

You should either hit down on the ball or cut under it and hit a lofted shot.

Answer 8

Use a medium to high spin ball(Nike One Platinum or Black, Pro V1, etc).  Sometimes when chipping out of the rough, it's hard to get the ball to spin.  You want to place the ball in the back of your stance and hit down on it creating the spin.  Be careful because you can skull it also.

Answer 9

You need good sharp grooves on the club.  I have found the Calloway X - Tour wedges with the MacDaddy grooves do a good job, and the Titleist Vokey Spin Mill too.  Then you have to give it a good crisp stroke, hitting it harder than  you think you might need for the distance.  With practice you'll zip it up there biting nicely on the second or third hop and checking right up.

Answer 10

visualize the ball hitting the clubface at the very bottom groove and rolling up the face catching on each groove adding to its spin till it comes off the top