As I research possible golf shots I would like to incorporate into my game, I sometimes come across a shot I kind of have, but need to improve. This is the case with a chipping tip from Rory McIlroy. The ‘one hop stop’ short chip shot is something I work on through the course of my golf season. I find this shot very useful and often wonder why my percentage of success is much lower than I want or expect. Well, I found out why thanks to a short video by Rory.
Before I delve into my woes, here is Rory’s chipping tip:
As I watched the video I realized three things actually. First, is that Rory lined up square to the target line. I generally line up a bit to the right. For me, I had to do this because everything was being pulled left. At first I thought it was my ball position, but actually it was because of my club head angle at the ball was in a closed position due to my set up.
This leads to the second point I was not really committed to and that is to open the club face slightly. I normally do not do this with any shot but my sand shot. I now realize that this is very important to have the club face square to the target line on contact. How much I need to open the club face is something I will work on when I can practice out doors.
Lastly, Rory demonstrated that a neutral weight distribution on this shot is an important element to the ‘one hop stop’ chip. I had far too much weight on my front leg for this delicate shot. Hence, I was not sliding the club head under the ball, but producing a sharper contact. This is not what is needed for this soft shot.
I can say that I have the basic fundamentals for this short chip shot. After watching Rory’s demonstration, I realize that I need to tighten up my technique just a bit to improve my success rate. Making small improvements to my short game is a big deal because I rely on it to keep many good rounds going. I might only used this particular shot once every round or two, but having it my bag should lower my overall golf scores.
I learned something new today, so my day is not wasted! 😉
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim, I’ll practice three variations of this shot with my 58 by altering ball position to back foot, middle, and left heel. The middle and left produce the most spin but for some reason, I’m not comfortable enough using either during play, and revert to the back foot option. It feels like I’ll hit the other two thin, even though I don’t during practice. Guess I need more practice!
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian,
Practice is definitely the key. I find that most of the FEAR (false evidence appearing real) on the golf course is self generated. When I trust my game, I shoot my best scores. Just wonder why I do not trust my game all the time. 😉
Cheers Jim
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Jim, trust is a chicken and egg thing. You wanna trust but you don’t without enough positive feedback. How do you get positive feedback? By trusting.
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Brian
Great question. Most of my feedback is before my shot. The more I visualize the shot, the greater chances of success. Then there is a scale of success depending ont he difficulty of the shot. Lastly, good or bad results, I take a couple of seconds to analyze my shot. All of this leads to feedback that is mostly positive. Even a poor shot is a teaching moment. Having said all that, it is a challenging process that requires focus and attention. Hope this helps.
Cheers Jim
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That’s just a shot that requires an entire boatload of precision and thus lots and lots of practice. And whether or not you should even attempt it relies on conditions. If the ball is wet or if you can’t reach the ball without grass getting in the way, you can’t expect the shot to work. If your grooves aren’t clean, give it up you aren’t going to generate enough spin.
And look to where even Rory’s ball stopped. From where he was, I know I wouldn’t be happy to have that long a putt left after my chip. He demonstrated it well, but as he said it’s not supposed to be your first choice of shots. It’s one you take when other options have been tossed.
Which begs the question, is all the practice required to perform it well worth it? I’d still say yes but only because the precision you are ingraining to pull it off well will carry over to the easier shots.
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Kevin,
Your points are very valid. I would suggest that considering the scores you shoot, it is a shot that should be in your bag. Of course, that is on outsiders perspective. Your point about spill over of precision is very valid.
Cheers Jim
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