Chipping on a slope

[anteem]

My short game is where I need the most work. I play a very short course with most of the holes less than 100 yd. When I get close to the hole, within 5-15 yd, I need to chip/pitch. The shots are all on a slope to the green. How does a person chip from a slope onto the green? No one I golf with seems to put their weight on the uphill foot which is what most “chipping” instruction lead you to believe is correct. In this situation what is the ball/club/foot positioning? Is the stance open? Are the shoulders level with the green or the slope? How does a person chip from a slope to the hole?
Thanks

[LowPost42]

Re: Chipping on a slope

Good question - which supercedes which; instruction on how to play an hillside shot, or good chipping mechanics?

You need to know that your weight is always going to want to be on the lower foot - so you'll have to 'force' your balance.

For a downhill shot, you need to remember that it's going to roll much more than usual. An uphill shot is more like a pitch that lands at it's apex - so much less roll. The trickier of the two is the uphill chip - as your weight is back. You're going to really have to work on getting your weight forward, and know that the ball is going to fly higher and shorter, with less roll, than it normally would.

[shootin4par]

Re: Chipping on a slope

generally ball position goes closer to higher foot. If it is uphill your front foot is higher so the ball goes closer to that foot, if it is downhill your back foot is higher so it goes closer to there

[aftford]

Re: Chipping on a slope

Hi Anteem.

Uphill chips:
1) Choose a club with less loft than you would normally use for a chip of this distance. the slope is providing the loft you need.
2) ball Towrds your left foot .Take a practice shot and look where the club bottoms out and play your ball from there.
3)At address push your hips towards the target and drop your right shoulder to match the slope ( pushing your hips forward will keep your weight on your left foot).
downhill chips:
1) Choose a club with MORE loft than you would normally use for a chip of this distance..
2) Ball towards your RIGHT foot. Take a practice shot and note where the club bottoms out and then play your ball from there.
3)At address push your hips AWAY from the target and drop your LEFT shoulder to match the slope.
This is a finnesse shot and iand can take quite a lot of practice, but as long as you stay relaxed and at the same time stay committed to the shot
you should get some very pleasing results.

good luck

[BrianW]

Re: Chipping on a slope

Hi,

I agree with Aftford on this.

I would add that there is also the consideration if the green it's self is sloped as opposed to the approach to it. The objective in chipping is to get the ball on the green's surface and then let it break to the hole.

If I am chipping a fair distance on a green with an uphill slope I use an 8 or 7 iron to create the desired roll. If I am chipping downhill I use a wedge so the backspin checks the amount of roll. Similar on level greens, the more loft the less roll.

Most important with chipping is the self belief that you will hole out with your chip.

Regards
Brian