Lancashire golf coach Gareth Benson continues his Interactive Golf Academy by concentrating on The Basics of Chipping:
1. If you or unsure as to how you may strike the ball lack confidence from a particular lie, a sure way of executing the percentage shot is to position the ball just inside the back heel, place about sixty percent of the weight on the front foot and keep your hands forward so that they sit just ahead of the ball. Remember that you will reduce the loft on the clubface which will create a little extra roll on landing.
2. maintaining a light grip pressure, allow the weight of the club and the natural length of your stroke to gently hinge the wrists. Your one key thought is relying on the length of your backswing for controlling the distance. The longer the swing, the further the ball will travel. With the weight set on the front foot at address, maintain the weight there throughout the backswing.
3. Feel that your chest rotates towards the target which naturally pulls the arms and club back into the ball. Just as you were at address, feel as though you are returning to the same position at impact. Your main objective is to sense that the grip of the club always leads the club head and allow the loft of the club to "pop" the ball into the air.
4. With the upper body continuing to rotate towards the target, keep a constant rhythm by allowing the backswing and through swing to be of equal length. The descending blow made by the club head will naturally elevate the ball without you assisting it into the air. On the follow through, continue to keep a firm left wrist which keeps the left arm and clubshaft almost in a straight line.
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