On The Tee with Hank Johnson

Improving your Chipping

Evaluating the Lie
Your ability to accurately evaluate the lie of the ball is essential to good chipping. The lie is “the boss” in determining your options, especially in chipping and pitching. You can break your evaluation of the lie of the ball down into four elements.
Slope: If the ball is on a slope it will affect your stroke your balance and the behavior of the ball. Uphill and downhill lies affect trajectory. Side hill lies affect direction. You have to practice to determine the change it makes for you.
Space under the ball: If the ball is actually against the ground you can swing down on the ball and use the ground to “squeeze” the ball against. If there is space between the ball and the ground you need to make a more level swing to get solid contact.
Grass behind the ball: Grass between the clubface and the ball will “cushion” the strike against the ball and cause a loss in distance. The more grass, the more it “cushions” impact. You just have to practice to get a “feel” for this condition.
Grass in front of the ball: Grass in front of the ball requires you to get the ball up more quickly. Use a more lofted club and plan to carry the ball farther up on the green than the shot might call for. Again, practicing from this condition is the only way to get a “feel” for this condition.
Remember, the lie is “The Boss” and it will dictate your options in chipping. You just have to be really good at “evaluating the lie” before you make your choices. Sometime the shot you would “like to play” isn’t available and you can’t force the issue.