Need Tip: High Spin Chip/Pitch Shots

Anybody have some good tips on how to hit those low flying, stop on a dime chip and pitch shots? What kind of swing and club works best? Thanks.

You'll need a good wedge, any brand name should do, a good ball (similar to a Pro V), and a little practice. Keep hands ahead at impact, play a bit more off your right foot, only works well on short grass, and be sure to finish your swing. Otherwise, just be sure you catch the ball just before you hit the ground. Practice from the fringe of a putting green...you shouldn't take a divot for the 30 footers.

[QUOTE=collegegolfer]You'll need a good wedge, any brand name should do, a good ball (similar to a Pro V), and a little practice. Keep hands ahead at impact, play a bit more off your right foot, only works well on short grass, and be sure to finish your swing. Otherwise, just be sure you catch the ball just before you hit the ground. Practice from the fringe of a putting green...you shouldn't take a divot for the 30 footers.[/QUOTE]

Thats pretty much it, just to add, try and take a steep down swing and make sure your club head is accelerating through impact

[QUOTE=newfie_golfer]Thats pretty much it, just to add, try and take a steep down swing and make sure your club head is accelerating through impact[/QUOTE]

The acceleration is what I meant by "finish your swing"...much better wording by you! :D

The spin is caused by the ball being compressed between the grooves on the club and ground. When people try to "help" the ball into the air they are defeating the purpose of the loft on a club. With hands leading at impact you almost have to be hitting down on it...it'll take a bit of practice from what I remember when I first learned how to do it.

awesome advice, thanks for the help guys

All of the above, plus: I would be careful about too steep of a swing. One of the best tips I ever got, after chunking chips and pitches, was to "try to hit the ball low." Essentially that means to hit the ball first and followthrough very low...chase the ball, don't scoop it. That works for popping the ball up in the air, too, with an open face (not a lob shot, a high one). The lob shot is a very high-risk shot. I avoid them at all cost.

Good acceleration, hands ahead to the very end of the shot (It should feel that way) and the ball should check. You need a wedge with a milled face and sharp U grooves for best results (assuming you have the swing ;)

Good luck. Those shots are fun to practice!

Low spin shots are hit with 'soft hands', that is no real effort to push the club through with hands/forearms.. just a loose hinge, free swinging...

high spin shots are hit with tight hands, the hands forcibly pushing the club through the ball...

the soft hands shots pop up, that's the high lob you see Mickelson hit... the firm tight hands shots come out lower with lots more spin.

Get a bucket of balls and test this. YOu won't get a lot of backspin with range balls but you sure will see the two different kinds of shot.

Swing thru more then at ball

[QUOTE=super zone]Anybody have some good tips on how to hit those low flying, stop on a dime chip and pitch shots? What kind of swing and club works best? Thanks.[/QUOTE]
:cool: Sure thing bro first go purchase a nice 58 degree Vokey spin milled wedge. Then get that wedge bent professionally to 56 degree because a 58 degree has slightly more bounce and hence the more bounce the more slide and the more slide the more spin created. Anyways then get your self a good sole grind on that wedge to create more bounce towards the hosel. You can then play the ball slightly back in your stance and with a slightly strong grip and your weight more on your left side towards the target slightly open your stance and club face and hit down on the ball and cut off your release and always maintain the club within your shoulder height through out the swing:thumbsup: cheers