Many people that watch golf don’t realize that PGA and LPGA tour players only hit about 13 greens in regulation in 18 holes. Unless you hit all 18 greens in regulation, you will need to chip and pitch the ball to try and save yourself from having a big number. Ideally, on a par 3, you should hit the green with your tee shot. On a par 4, you should hit the green in two shots. Lastly, on a par 5, you would expect to reach the green in three shots. That is not always the case.
When you miss the green, depending on where your ball ends up, you’ll need to pitch, chip or hit a bunker shot to get up and down. Getting up and down means that it will take you one shot to get the ball close to the hole and make a putt to save your par — or save yourself from making a large number. In many cases, you can make a good bogey to stop yourself from making that high number and ruining a good round of golf.
As a PGA Director of Instruction, I’m afraid to say that most of my students don’t spend enough quality time working on their short game. I would really like to see them practice chipping. Chipping is a large part of the game and the fundamentals are fairly simple. Generally, the stance is narrow and the knees are bent ever so slightly. You can chip with a variety of different clubs, and most of the time you’ll choke up on the grip. Most of the time, you’ll play the ball off the back foot and make a smooth pendulum golf swing with your arms hands and shoulders. Again, the technique is fairly simple and the hands should pull the grip end of the club ahead of the ball as the club head makes impact. This will keep the ball from sailing to high in the air. A chip shot should come off the club face low and check up on the green and then release to the hole. The technique must be practiced regularly with these fundamentals in mind to become good at it. If you are unsure of the proper technique, please consult a qualified PGA Teaching Professional.
All the best in golf,
Greg Greksa
PGA Professional
Director of Instruction
