Basic Steps to Perfect Golf. -- Link to Lesson 7 - Chipping.

Link.

=Lesson 7//chipping the ball

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chipping the ball -chip06-- (Changed - 12/06/2007)

The technique of chipping the ball is a very simple process and to learn this technique, carry out the following movements:-

THE STANCE.

The stance is identical to full swing except that the weight of the body is basically over the left leg throughout the chipping action, an important aspect of successfully carrying out the chipping action.

The position of the feet when chipping the ball, is the same as if you were to fade the ball, which means that the hips and the lower part of the body are in open stance -- however, the shoulders must remain "Parallel to the Target Line" and the head firmly positioned behind the golf ball.

THE HIP MOVEMENT.

Because the stance is already open the rotation of the hips is mimimal, however during the back swing movement the Hips must rotate slightly.

During the down swing movement, although the rotational movement of the hips still precedes the movement of the shoulders --- it is a much gentler controlled movement.

THE ROLE OF THE ARMS.

When playing the chip shot, the whole upper body becomes "bonded as one" and simply acts as a pendulum, so that the movement of the left arm is totally controlled by the muscles of the back, whilst the right arm controls the position of the club head.

THE MOVEMENT.

Hold the muscles of the chest, the shoulders and the left arm in a taut condition so that the shoulders and the arms become "bonded as one" - whilst using only the large muscles of the back to control the rotational movements.

Therefore whilst keeping the left arm perfectly straight and totally passive to the movement of the shoulders - fully focus on the ball before making a short back swing movement.

Simply rotate the shoulders in order to move the clubhead away from the ball position, whilst simultaneously performing the "Hip Movement".

During this short back swing movement, exaggerate the flexing of the wrists, so that the golf club moves a further distance away from the ball position than the hands, so that the club in now at a 45`angle to the arms, relative to the original set up position, however, do not allow the head to move away from its position of being behind the ball.

Pause slightly at the end of the back swing movement, so that you can begin to reverse the "Hip Movement" slightly before the shoulders begins to move into the down swing movement.--- then simply allow the "Hip Movement" to control the down swing sequence.

As soon as the shoulders and the arms are returned to the original address position they must go into "Static mode" and held firmly in this position whilst the wrists are simply unhinged.

Therefore, as the clubhead approaches the ball position, it is vital that your hands do not move ahead of the ball position, but you must remember to continue to clearly focus on the point where the golf ball is touching the grass.

At the precise moment that the clubhead makes contact with the ball, the hands should be slightly ahead of the ball whilst the left arm and the golf club remain slightly bent, but importantly, your head must be slightly behind the ball position and held in the "Fixed Frontal" position.

You have to image in your minds eye, the swing path of the club head as it moves through the space that the ball occupies.

DISTANCE CONTROL

To control the distance that the ball is require to travel, you will need to adjust the amount of rotational speed of the shoulders during the down swing movement and the power that is exerted as you strike the ball --- however, practice the movement over and over again and you will soon acquire the delicate touch that is required.

This is a simple movement, but it is very effective.

It is important that the speed of the chipping action is totally controlled by rotational movements of the shoulders and further, once the club head begins to move into the down swing sequence, there must be no attempt to "HIT" the ball.

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