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Stop Skulling Chips


Published: February 01, 2007

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Situation: You prepare to play chips with an open stance, with the ball centered and your hands well ahead of it.

Common mistake: Even though this is considered a textbook setup, you still blade the ball across the green, because the forward press creates a rigid, jabbing motion.

The right play: Use a more neutral address position and think of making a mini-swing as opposed to a chip.

How to do it: Keep the ball in the middle of your stance, flare your front foot open and keep the shaft more vertical. Focus on turning toward the target with the movement of the club through impact, and allow the clubhead to release gently toward the target. Your ball will do the exact same thing.