How to Stick Downhill Chips

How to Stick Downhill Chips
This right-foot trick stops you from blading the ball across the green

By Eden Foster
Top 100 Teacher

This story is for you if...

• Downhill chips terrify you because you usually skull the ball.

• You don't think you can hit the ball high or soft enough from a downhill lie.

The Situation
Your approach shot missed the green and stopped on the side of a hill. You're now looking at one of the toughest short-game shots: the downhill chip.

The Solution
Notice that when you take your stance you get the feeling that the ball will come out too low. Most golfers compensate for this by hanging back on their right foot and scooping the ball into the air, which almost always leads to a skull. The secret to avoiding this mistake is to totally remove your right foot from the equation and plan for a lower shot. The ball will come out more like a 9-iron than a lob wedge, but with practice you'll learn to get this shot close to the hole.