10 Proven Tips to Chip the Ball Cleanly Every Time
Eliminate Fat Chip Shots and Save More Pars Around the Green
Few shots in golf are more frustrating than chunking an easy chip.
You make a swing…
The club digs into the turf…
The ball barely moves…
And suddenly what should have been a simple up-and-down turns into a double bogey.
If you’ve struggled with fat chip shots, you’re not alone.
The good news?
Chunking chips is one of the easiest problems to fix because it’s usually caused by just a few setup and technique mistakes.
In this guide, we’ll show you 10 proven ways to stop chunking chip shots so you can make crisp contact, improve your short game, and lower your scores.
At Golf Gear Authority, we’ve researched the same short-game fundamentals taught by PGA professionals to help golfers become more confident around the greens.
Why Golfers Chunk Chip Shots
Most chunked chips happen because the club reaches the ground before the golf ball.
Common causes include:
- Too much weight on the back foot
- Trying to scoop the ball
- Ball positioned too far forward
- Excessive wrist action
- Poor tempo
- Fear of hitting the ball too hard
The solution is creating a simple, repeatable chipping motion that allows the club to strike the ball first.
1. Put More Weight on Your Front Foot
One of the quickest fixes is adjusting your weight distribution.
At address:
- Place about 60–70% of your weight on your lead foot.
- Keep it there throughout the swing.
- Avoid shifting backward.
Why It Works
Keeping your weight forward helps move the bottom of your swing in front of the golf ball.
2. Play the Ball Slightly Back
Ball position is critical.
For most basic chip shots:
- Position the ball just behind the center of your stance.
- Hands should be slightly ahead of the ball.
This promotes clean contact and a downward strike.
3. Keep Your Hands Ahead
At impact, your hands should remain slightly ahead of the clubhead.
Avoid trying to flip or scoop the ball into the air.
The loft of the club is designed to lift the ball—you don’t need to help it.
4. Use Your Shoulders, Not Your Wrists
Many golfers rely too much on their hands.
Instead, think of your chip like a putting stroke.
Let your:
- Shoulders rock
- Chest rotate
- Arms stay connected
Keep wrist movement to a minimum.
This creates much more consistent contact.
5. Accelerate Through the Ball
One of the biggest causes of chunked chips is deceleration.
Commit to the shot.
Keep the club moving through impact.
Think:
“Smooth through the ball.”
Not:
“Don’t hit it too hard.”
6. Brush the Grass
Imagine brushing the grass underneath the ball rather than digging into it.
Practice making shallow contact with the turf.
Good chippers clip the grass—they don’t take deep divots.
7. Practice the Towel Drill
One of the best drills for improving contact:
Place a small towel about 3–4 inches behind the golf ball.
Hit chip shots without touching the towel.
This teaches you to strike the ball before the ground.
8. Choose the Right Wedge
Many golfers automatically grab a lob wedge for every chip.
Sometimes a pitching wedge or gap wedge is the smarter choice.
Different lies call for different clubs.
Our favorites include:
9. Practice Different Lies
Don’t only practice from perfect grass.
Work on:
- Tight fairway lies
- Light rough
- Thick rough
- Downhill lies
- Uphill lies
Versatility leads to confidence.
10. Keep It Simple
The best short-game players don’t overcomplicate things.
Focus on:
- Good setup
- Quiet hands
- Smooth tempo
- Solid contact
Simple swings produce consistent results.
Common Chipping Mistakes
Trying to Lift the Ball
Let the loft do the work.
Leaning Back
Stay on your lead side.
Using Too Much Wrist Action
Keep your wrists quiet.
Decelerating
Always commit to the shot.
Best Training Aids for Better Chipping
Best Chipping Net
Pop-Up Chipping Net
Best Wedge
Titleist Vokey SM10
Best Alignment Aid
Alignment Sticks
Best Practice Tool
Impact Bag
15-Minute Practice Routine
5 Minutes
Chip from short grass focusing only on clean contact.
5 Minutes
Practice the towel drill.
5 Minutes
Hit chips with three different wedges to various targets.
Consistency improves when you practice quality over quantity.
Final Tips
If you’re chunking chip shots:
✔ Keep your weight forward.
✔ Play the ball slightly back.
✔ Keep your hands ahead.
✔ Use your shoulders.
✔ Accelerate through impact.
✔ Practice with the towel drill.
Solid contact is the foundation of a great short game.
Final Verdict
Chunking chips is one of the most common problems in golf—but it’s also one of the easiest to fix.
By improving your:
- Setup
- Ball position
- Weight distribution
- Tempo
- Practice routine
you’ll quickly begin making crisp, consistent contact around the greens.
Remember, the goal isn’t to help the ball into the air.
It’s to make clean contact and let the club do the work.
