Some golfers have just had enough!
They are tired of blading and chunking chip shots and living in fear of the next delicate shot they have around the greens.
This fear of the chip shot can lead to golfers dreading this portion of the game and ruining the fun that is supposed to be connected with the game of golf.
The good news…I have two possible solutions that can serve as alternative chipping techniques.
Alternative Chipping Techniques (2 Options)
The two most effective alternative chipping techniques are the cross handed technique and the split grip technique.
Before we dive into the “how to” on each of these alternative chipping techniques, let’s first exploring the following:
- Why do some golfers need an alternative chipping technique?
- When is the right time to use an alternative chipping technique?
- Will an alternative chipping technique work for your game?
Why do some golfers need an alternative chipping technique?
It pretty much comes down to one word. Maybe the most dreaded word in the game of golf. The “Yips.” Do not feel ashamed, do not feel like you suck at golf. Did you know that many professional golfers including Hal Sutton, Tiger Woods and many others have suffered from this psychological take over of the body?
How to cure the chipping yips (3 solutions)
The alternative chipping techniques provide a different method to get through many of the common pieces of advice that are out there to end the yips. I have found the split grip approach to be a game saver. I am playing my best golf of the past decade with my improved chipping game. I can now focus on the shot instead of worrying about the quality of contact.
I first experienced the chipping yips 12 years ago and for over a decade found a way to manage the yips, but they arose at the worst times during a round of golf or during a certain part of the golf season.
Bring the fun back to the game and test out one of the two alternative chipping techniques detailed below.
When is the right time to use an alternative chipping technique?
If you are struggling with the yips and have tried everything to fix the yips. Or you simply have never been a good chipper of the ball and want to try something different.
I was first inspired by the split grip approach while watching the PGA Tour and noticed the many different putting techniques and started thinking why people don’t try alternatives to chipping, but will try anything under the sun when it comes to putting.
Golfers change putter lengths, use different grips, putt cross handed and so on, but rarely do you see a different chipping technique utilized.
The good news is that there are different times and places to test out the alternative chipping techniques. I will chip a ping pong ball around my basement and test out different techniques where there is no fear of the bladed shot across the room.
Will an alternative chipping technique work for your game?
Can you answer yes to any of the questions below:
- Do you blade or chunk more than one chip shot per round?
- Do you fear the quality of contact?
- Do you ever shank a chip shot?
- Has the short game almost made you quit the game?
- Do you worry more about hitting the ball solid vs hitting a quality shot?
- Do you often rush the chip shot just to get it over with and move on?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, chances are an alternative chipping technique might be exactly what you need.
I play golf at close to a scratch level and tried a different technique. Don’t let anything stop you from at least giving it a shot. A US Open winner in Matt Fitzpatrick uses a cross handed chipping technique and he won arguably the most difficult tournament in all of golf!
Are you ready to finally ease yourself from the fear of chip shots?
Option #1: Cross Handed Chipping Technique
Maybe you have used this grip when putting. Ultatimely, the golfer switches the location of his or her hands and hit chip shots with their front hand low.
If you are a golfer that has an overactive lower hand and you often flip at the ball at the bottom, this technique can help eliminate that variable as it feels very stable and allows you to extend your lead arm and use this as a guide.
The golfer is able to develop the feel in the left arm and hand and reduce so many of the variable that leads to yips, flips, chunks and all those ugly results.
Go ahead and put that left hand low and focus on using that left arm unit as a single unit that moves back and through the shot. Set the loft you want and keep it simple!
Option #2: Split Grip Chipping Technique
In this technique the golfer keeps their right hand low, but creates a gap between their hands. The grip essentially becomes split.
I like to extend my right arm out and use this as the main focus point of the swing. The left hand is simply on there to help stabilize the club, but isn’t doing much pushing or pulling in the chipping motion.
By using this extended right arm, the golfer is able to control the low point of the swing. This is similar to the left hand low in the cross handed approach to chipping.
Here are some basic guidelines
- Keep your stance simple
- Use 1 of 3 ball positions: back foot, middle of stance, front foot
- Use the bounce on the middle and front foot swings.
- Use a more aggressive swing with the ball on the back foot
- Can be used from around 30 yards and in
- Can use a variety of golf clubs similar to normal chipping
Why These Alternative Chipping Methods Work
The normal golf grip is setup for to maximize the combination of power and accuracy and is built to create an optimum amount of speed.
When chipping, high end speed is not required, instead the golfers needs to control the speed, but the hinging and unhinging of the wrists or rolling of the forearms is not a necessity.
These alternative grips, eliminate the variables of speed and act as a governor to limit the speed, allowing the golfer a smooth motion through the shot where they are also able to control the low point of the chipping motion.
Next Steps: Alternative Chipping Techniques
Head out to a local putting green and test out these two options. You might be surprised at the ease and the excitement that a well struck shot can bring to your game. You might finally want to practice the short game and take your overall game to the next level from the confidence that can be built from an alternative technique.
Try out both techniques and see if this option can improve your game.
Alternative Golf Swings: 5 Options!
Golf is a lot more fun when you are hitting the ball further and shooting lower scores!
And we close with one of my favorite quotes of all time:
“Swing your swing. Not some idea of a swing. Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had. No, swing your swing. Capable of greatness. Prized only by you. Perfect in its imperfection. Swing your swing. I know, I did.”
Arnold Palmer
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage. I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.
