Whether you’re playing in wet conditions, like we’ve seen this week at the PGA Championship, or navigating tricky Bermuda lies around the greens, one of the best short game shots you can have in the bag this season is a chip with your hybrid or fairway wood.
According to Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher to Watch, the hybrid chip is an easy shot to master as long as you nail a few setup keys.
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“I want to make sure that I get really close to it,” McLachlin says, “almost uncomfortably close to it.”
You’ll also want to raise the handle of your club. Not only does this allow you to get closer to the ball, but it also helps you get taller at address — which encourages you to make more of a putting-like stroke.
With your putting grip, the next key is to choke up on the club. Almost down to the steel, McLachlin says. This should give you more control of the clubhead and help you stay connected to your stroke.
This shot also requires a narrow stance, so bring your feet closer together so they’re almost touching. This will reduce lower-body movement and allow you to make a smooth, putting-like stroke.
To execute this shot properly, you want to lean the clubshaft forward and position the ball back in your stance, just off your trail toe. This encourages a slight descending strike, promoting ball-first contact rather than catching the ground or lifting the ball, resulting in crisp, clean contact that produces a low-trajectory shot with minimal airtime and more roll.
A common mistake amateurs make when trying to execute these shots around the green is adding a bit of extra pop or hit to them. But, as McLachlin explains, that’s exactly what you want to avoid.
“There’s no hit involved in this stroke at all,” he says.
Instead, make a nice, long putting stroke. Like you would on the green, avoid any wristy action and let the club do the work. The result should be a controlled shot that comes out low and running, almost like a putt. With a little practice, these will quickly become your go-to shot from poor lies around the green.
You’ll find more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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