An SI.com and CNN Network Site
An SI.com and CNN Network Site. Visit SI.com An SI.com and CNN Network Site. Visit CNN.com Subscribe to Sports Illustrated Golf Plus Subscribe to Golf Magazine
Skip to main content
SI GOLFNation

Join the Nation!

Keep up with your scores, stats and golf buddies with our new game-tracking and social-networking tool.

Hit Solid Chips

For solid contact on chip shots, try this simple drill to get you in the ideal position


Published: June 01, 2005

  • Share
  • E-mail
  • Print
  • Sign up for free newsletter
It's not uncommon to hear the advice to put weight on your left side for short shots, and to respond by sliding only your lower body toward the target. It's a common, and costly, fault. By shifting only your hips, your upper body and head tilt back behind the ball, causing the club to bottom out too soon and resulting in fat or thin contact.

The proper way to address short shots is to lean your entire body toward the target, so your eyes are ahead of the ball. You can check this by hanging a club straight down from your right eye—you should see the clubhead pointing down in front of the ball. This moves your center of gravity forward, promoting the sharp, descending blow you want on chips and pitches.