Chipping With A Hybrid (When and How)

The ideal situation is when you are just off the green either on the approach, fringe or in the rough. The golfer will use a putting-like motion to advance the ball and have it roll the majority of the way to the hole. This shot can replace the typical 7 or 8 iron bump and run.

Many golfers struggle around the green.

Whether they lack practice, confidence or have a case of the yips the thought of hitting a chip shot can produce plenty of anxiety and fear.

However, there is a club that many people over look when consider what club to use when chipping.

While the hybrid might not be the club that is going to get you closest to the hole in many situations, it doesn eliminate the high number and can get the golfer somewhere on the green.

When To Use A Hybrid for Chipping?

Personal Experience: While not an option I use often, chipping is more about comfort and confidence than anything. If the hybrid provides comfort and confidence over a shot and you can get good results, then go ahead and use it!

The hybrid has the advantage of being able to move through thicker rough without the rough being a major barrier. It is a rather safe shot for those shots that land close to the green, but you still have 2-5 yards to get to the green.

With more and more golfers carrying 5, 7 or 9 hybrids, this extra loft can make the hybrid a rather quality club to use in these situations. If you are someone that struggles with these shots, go ahead and give the hybrid a chance and see what it feels and looks like around the practice green.

Helpful Post: Are hybrid clubs good for beginners?

The key to the short game is putting in time around the practice green!

How to Use A Hybrid for Chipping?

The golfer will use a putting like, back and forth motion ensuring that they strike the ball first before the ground. The goal is to advance the ball rough of the longer grass and onto the green.

The key here is to play the ball right around the middle of the stance. Too far forward and you might hit the top the ball. Too far back and you might hit it on the downswing and into the green. Instead play it in the middle or just forward of middle and make a nice smooth putting motion.

The loft on the club will send it slightly into the air and onto the green. The ball will roll the rest of the way to the hole.

I would recommend creating a system that provides you with 9 different size shots. They include the following:

Short swing, slow speed
Short swing, medium speed

Short swing, fast speed

Medium swing, slow speed
Medium swing, medium speed

Medium swing, fast speed

Long swing, slow speed
Long swing, medium speed

Long swing, fast speed

Helpful Post: Do pro golfers use hybrids?

Pros of Chipping With the Hybrid

A very simple motion to repeat

Eliminates the high score
Gets the ball rolling soon

Overall the simple motion is great for the mid to high handicap golfer. Getting the ball on the green and having even a 20 footer might be a win for the average golfer. As you golf game advances, you will want to add a variety of shots in hopes of chipping the ball within at least a 5-6 foot circle on the majority of the putts, giving yourself a realistic chance to save par.

Many golfers lose too many shots around the green due to the bladed or chunked chip shot. With the hybrid you can pretty much eliminate these shots and the high scores. Get the ball on the green and ensure you are going to two putt from 20 feet or in.

The weakest golfers should strive to get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible. Over time, I would however recommend spending plenty of time around the practice green learning how to become an expert short game player with the 60 degree wedge.

Helpful Post: When to use a 60 degree wedge

As you learn to play more difficult courses, being able to use a 60 degree wedge is vital!

Cons of Chipping With the Hybrid

Not ideal for many situations further from the green or with bunkers.
Might not be the best shot if the goal is to get the ball with 2-3 feet of the hole.
Can be difficult if there is a lot of rough or bunkers between your ball and the hole.

While this method is great for the higher handicap golfer, ultimately the golfer must learn to become very good with the 60 degree wedge.

Quick Fact: Did you know that the average scrambling rate for the scratch golfer is 54%?

Here is a breakdown of the average stats of a scratch golfer:

Greens in Regulation	67%
Fairways Hit	53%
Putts Per Hole	1.67
Scrambling	54%
Sand Saves	59%
Average Driving Distance	251

The bottom line is that the golfer must be able to save par when missing the green around 54% of the time to be close to a scratch golfer. While it will take some solid ball striking to 67% of the greens, it doesn’t take a great deal of speed or power to be an excellent short game player.

It just takes the right equipment, enough practice and then being able to execute the shot on the golf course.

Early in your golf journey, if you want to use the hybrid for chipping, please do and get you game at least the bogey level. Learn to get the ball around the green in regulation and make sure you make no greater than bogey. In the meantime, work on those other chip shots during your practice time and watch your scores plummet lower and lower.

The short game is the faster route to lower scores. First, eliminate the high number and work to get over 50% with your scrambling percentage!

Helpful Post: How to use a 60 degree wedge

Next Steps: PRACTICE

The key to getting good at short the game is not dependent on speed or power, but rather putting time into your game with some basic chipping techniques and approaches that can help take your game to the next level!

Helpful Post: 5 Tips for Chipping!

Helpful Post: Top 22 Practice Games!

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: