One of the fun aspects about Manele Golf Course at Four Seasons Resorts Lanai is the variety of shots and options around the greens. Since most of the grass is mowed at a very low height here it’s important to be comfortable using different clubs on tight lies. But I mainly tell my students to use a utility wood so the ball gets on the ground quicker and rolls longer.
To become proficient with this type of chipping, a few basics should be mastered:
Grip down on the club with your bottom hand close to the edge of the shaft.
Set up as if you were going to putt the ball and use a smooth, one-piece motion – like a putting stroke – to propel it toward the hole.
Make sure your shoulders, arms and hands all work in unison.
Maintain the position of your wrists to avoid getting “flippy” with your hands.
With just a bit of practice, anyone can become good at this chip shot with a hybrid or utility club. The percentages are better for hitting a good shot than trying to guess how far – and high – to hit the ball up on the green.
Scott Ashworth, PGA, is director of golf at Manele Golf Course on Lanai and the incoming District 11 director for the PGA of America representing the Aloha, Northern California and Southern California sections.
