Terms of UseHow to Chip a Golf Ball a Precise Distance Co-authored by Michael Metz
Last Updated: June 5, 2025 References
Chipping the Ball
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Choosing the Right Club
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Practicing Chip Shots
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Expert Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Michael Metz. Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 99,294 times.
A chip shot is the perfect thing to use when you’re stuck in the sand or need to clear rough grass to get to the green. This specialty shot will cause the golf ball to go 1–5 yards (0.91–4.57 m) in the air before landing. If you want your chip shots to go near the intended area on the green, you’ll need to learn how to properly execute the shot and practice using it to hit the ball varying distances. If you follow the right technique and continue practicing, you can improve your chip shot and control how far it goes.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Chipping the Ball
1 Plant your feet on the ground with your toes facing the golf tee. Stand 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) away from the golf tee. Position your feet so that they are parallel with each other and square your shoulders. Hold the handle on your club firmly with both hands and angle the club out in front of you.[1]X Expert Source Michael MetzGolf InstructorExpert Interview
You should feel comfortable and natural.[2]XResearch source
2 Bend forward slightly at the waist. Bend at your knees and waist and square your shoulders. Line up your waist and spine with the ball while you position your golf club behind the golf tee.[3]XResearch source
Fight any urge you have to lean backward when chipping the ball because it often leads to wide shots or shots that get too much air.[4]XResearch source
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3 Bring the club up behind you. Bend your non-dominant wrist and your back arm slightly at the elbow while you bring the club back.[5]X Expert Source Michael MetzGolf InstructorExpert Interview Keep your leading arm as straight as possible while you swing the club in the backward motion.[6]XResearch source
For chip shots, you’ll only need to bring the club back 1.5–2 ft (0.46–0.61 m).
Don’t bring the club too far back or you’ll hit the ball too hard and the direction will be unpredictable.
4 Swing the club forward and hit the ball. Swing the club in a slightly downward direction. Hit the ball before the club makes contact with the grass for a clean shot.[7]XResearch source If done correctly, the ball should jump up over whatever obstruction is in your way.[8]XResearch source
It’s normal for the club to hit the grass after it hits the ball.
It may take several tries before you make contact with the ball.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Choosing the Right Club
1 Use a 6-iron for low-terrain chip shots. If you need to chip the ball over low terrain, a 6-iron is the best club to use. A ball hit by a 6-iron will roll a lot after they land, so you’ll want your ball to land 10–30 yards (9.1–27.4 m) away from the intended target.[9]XResearch source
If you try to chip shot with a 6-iron too close to the hole, it may roll past the hole.
The amount that the ball rolls after it lands will depend on how hard you hit the ball.
2 Use a 9-iron to get more air than a 6-iron. If you have to go over a lot of rough grass, a 9-iron is the best club to use. A ball hit by a 9-iron will also roll a good distance after it lands. Aim your shot for the front of the green and let the ball roll towards the intended area.[10]XResearch source
A ball hit by a 9-iron will go 3–5 yd (2.7–4.6 m) in the air.
3 Use a sand wedge when the ball is stuck in the sand. Sand wedges are bigger clubs that give the golf ball more air than if you used a 9- or 6-iron. In addition, a ball hit by a sand wedge won’t roll as much. Use a sand wedge if you’re stuck in a bunker or need to make a chip shot that stops quickly.[11]XResearch source
When using a sand wedge, aim the ball as close to the target as you can.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Practicing Chip Shots
1 Use more power to make your shot travel further. Bring your club back further during your backswing and swing harder to put more power into your chip shot. Hitting the ball hard will result in a far shot that will get a lot of air.[12]XResearch source
If you need to clear an obstruction that is 3–5 yd (2.7–4.6 m) long, use a longer backswing and put more power in your shot.
2 Use less power if you don't need the ball to travel far. If you need the ball to clear a smaller obstruction, reduce the distance of your backswing and put less power into your forward swing. Less power in your swing will also reduce the amount that the ball rolls after landing.[13]XResearch source
If you need to clear an obstruction that is 1–2 yd (0.91–1.83 m) long, you may want to use less power and put less backswing on your shot.
3 Practice putting the ball to get a feeling for the green. The grain of the green will affect how and where your ball rolls. Practice hitting a couple of balls in the center of the putting green, then work your way to the fringes of the course.[14]XResearch source
Practice chipping balls in the sand.
Make sure to get out of the way if someone is golfing behind you.
4 Set up indicators 30, 60 and 90 yd (27, 55 and 82 m) away. Find an area where you can set up cones or ribbons to indicate 30, 60 and 90 yd (27, 55 and 82 m). Set up the markers somewhere off the golfing green. Use these indicators to practice hitting balls a specific distance.[15]XResearch source
You can also set up a practice range in your backyard if you don’t have access to a golf course.
5 Try chipping to each marker. Practice hitting the ball to the 30 yd (27 m) marker at first. Adjust the power and angle of your swing until you get the feeling for the 30 yd (27 m) marker. Once you’re confident, move to the 60 yd (55 m) marker and then finally the 90 yd (82 m) marker.[16]XResearch source
With enough practice and repetition you’ll be able to hit precise chip shots when golfing.[17]X Expert Source Michael MetzGolf InstructorExpert Interview
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Expert Q&A
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Question How do you chip a golf ball accurately? Michael Metz Golf Instructor Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. Michael Metz Golf Instructor Expert Answer Try the clock drill! This means viewing yourself like the face of a clock, where your head is 12 and your feet are 6. With the clock drill, you bring the club back to different positions and heights on the clock face. This helps you learn how far you hit based on where you put the hour hand in your swing. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question How do you add spin to a chip shot? Michael Metz Golf Instructor Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. Michael Metz Golf Instructor Expert Answer Put the ball a little more forward in your stance, and make sure you add a descending blow to it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Michael Metz Golf Instructor This article was co-authored by Michael Metz. Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. This article has been viewed 99,294 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 20Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 99,294
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Co-authored by: Michael Metz Golf Instructor This article was co-authored by Michael Metz. Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. This article has been viewed 99,294 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 20 Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 99,294 
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617 
1 Plant your feet on the ground with your toes facing the golf tee. Stand 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) away from the golf tee. Position your feet so that they are parallel with each other and square your shoulders. Hold the handle on your club firmly with both hands and angle the club out in front of you.[1] 
2 Bend forward slightly at the waist. Bend at your knees and waist and square your shoulders. Line up your waist and spine with the ball while you position your golf club behind the golf tee.[3] 
3 Bring the club up behind you. Bend your non-dominant wrist and your back arm slightly at the elbow while you bring the club back.[5] Keep your leading arm as straight as possible while you swing the club in the backward motion.[6] 
4 Swing the club forward and hit the ball. Swing the club in a slightly downward direction. Hit the ball before the club makes contact with the grass for a clean shot.[7] If done correctly, the ball should jump up over whatever obstruction is in your way.[8] 
1 Use a 6-iron for low-terrain chip shots. If you need to chip the ball over low terrain, a 6-iron is the best club to use. A ball hit by a 6-iron will roll a lot after they land, so you’ll want your ball to land 10–30 yards (9.1–27.4 m) away from the intended target.[9] 
2 Use a 9-iron to get more air than a 6-iron. If you have to go over a lot of rough grass, a 9-iron is the best club to use. A ball hit by a 9-iron will also roll a good distance after it lands. Aim your shot for the front of the green and let the ball roll towards the intended area.[10] 
3 Use a sand wedge when the ball is stuck in the sand. Sand wedges are bigger clubs that give the golf ball more air than if you used a 9- or 6-iron. In addition, a ball hit by a sand wedge won’t roll as much. Use a sand wedge if you’re stuck in a bunker or need to make a chip shot that stops quickly.[11] 
1 Use more power to make your shot travel further. Bring your club back further during your backswing and swing harder to put more power into your chip shot. Hitting the ball hard will result in a far shot that will get a lot of air.[12] 
2 Use less power if you don't need the ball to travel far. If you need the ball to clear a smaller obstruction, reduce the distance of your backswing and put less power into your forward swing. Less power in your swing will also reduce the amount that the ball rolls after landing.[13] 
3 Practice putting the ball to get a feeling for the green. The grain of the green will affect how and where your ball rolls. Practice hitting a couple of balls in the center of the putting green, then work your way to the fringes of the course.[14] 
4 Set up indicators 30, 60 and 90 yd (27, 55 and 82 m) away. Find an area where you can set up cones or ribbons to indicate 30, 60 and 90 yd (27, 55 and 82 m). Set up the markers somewhere off the golfing green. Use these indicators to practice hitting balls a specific distance.[15] 
5 Try chipping to each marker. Practice hitting the ball to the 30 yd (27 m) marker at first. Adjust the power and angle of your swing until you get the feeling for the 30 yd (27 m) marker. Once you’re confident, move to the 60 yd (55 m) marker and then finally the 90 yd (82 m) marker.[16] 
Michael Metz Golf Instructor Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. 
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