chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

[Norman Bates]

Due to the very dry and hot weather in july, there are lots of places on our golf course where all the grass has gone.
Also on drop zones near water.

Problem is that you have to chip to the green, but because the ball is not resting on grass, I can't get my PW or SW under the ball to chipp properly and I top the ball resulting in a desaster shot.

The soil is really very hard (like concrete).

Any tips ??

[msklar92]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

options:
1) use a putter instead
2) use a 3 wood like a putter
3) Do not use a sand wedge, flange will be a problem
4) Play pitching wedge or gap wedge off the back foot, choke up on the club - hands foward at address. Take a firm - confident stroke. Get it on the green and don't expect too much.

[golfonenemesis]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

9 I to 7 I easy does it, may help but expect roll and play off back heel just a gentle putting stroke with hands ahead.

[BrianW]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Due to the very dry and hot weather in july, there are lots of places on our golf course where all the grass has gone.
Also on drop zones near water.

Problem is that you have to chip to the green, but because the ball is not resting on grass, I can't get my PW or SW under the ball to chipp properly and I top the ball resulting in a desaster shot.

The soil is really very hard (like concrete).

Any tips ??

Hi,
You say that you cannot get your PW or SW UNDER the ball? you should not be trying to get them under the ball, you need to strike down onto the ball with your hands ahead of it, otherwise you will be topping and thinning.

As mentioned, don't use your SW on hard lies, the bounce will tend to thin the shot, a PW , GW and LW should be OK as long as they don't have a lot of bounce built in, as will the other methods mentioned in previous replies.

Regards
Brian

[Mox]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Norman ... BrianW is right.

You MUST strike DOWN on the ball.

You know the motion well, it's the same as the one used in that famous shower scene. You know ... "down, down, down, down, down" ...

All jokes aside, try grabbing your 7-iron, grip down and stand as close to the ball as you would when putting. You'll notice that the clubhead will 'stand on it's toe', creating a V-shape. Now use a putting stroke and hit the ball with a slight downward motion on that V-shaped toe.

I have no idea why, but that works for me.

[Mr_Change]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

When I am on hard ground or even dirt I make sure that the ball is further back in my stance than normal. This allows you to hit the ball before the club is grounded.

I do the same thing with my chips shots off the dirt. I find I am better chipping off hard ground than out of soft grass.

[Norman Bates]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Thanks for your comments.
I would like to add that the problem is that between the ball and the green I have to get over a hazard like a bunker, water, etc.
Distance between ball and green is about 5 to 20 meter.

An I7 will send the ball very low, going in water or bunker.
So I really want to send the ball in the air and have it drop dead on the green.

Or am I wishing for to much ??

[msklar92]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

In that case need a lofted club. You need to clip it perfectly. You need to play the approach shot to avoid this mess.

[golfonenemesis]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Norman, grab your sand wedge, play it back of center, take a few practice swings to find out where the bottom of the arc is, then, keep your left hand/wrist stiff(which may be hard to do if your gay), just hit the damn thing and let it fly. I also must mention that you cannot look up on this shot so turn your head to the right to make sure you keep centered over the ball and DO NOT LOOK UP!!!
On this shot, feel as if you are dragging the butt end of the club along the ground and hands lead, of course!!!!!!!!!
Go get em' tiger, be a man.
Yours truly,
5 star general Spiker

[Norman Bates]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Norman, grab your sand wedge, play it back of center, take a few practice swings to find out where the bottom of the arc is, then, keep your left hand/wrist stiff(which may be hard to do if your gay), just hit the damn thing and let it fly. I also must mention that you cannot look up on this shot so turn your head to the right to make sure you keep centered over the ball and DO NOT LOOK UP!!!
On this shot, feel as if you are dragging the butt end of the club along the ground and hands lead, of course!!!!!!!!!
Go get em' tiger, be a man.
Yours truly,
5 star general Spiker

I'll give it a try in my garden as manly as possible !

[BrianW]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Thanks for your comments.
I would like to add that the problem is that between the ball and the green I have to get over a hazard like a bunker, water, etc.
Distance between ball and green is about 5 to 20 meter.

An I7 will send the ball very low, going in water or bunker.
So I really want to send the ball in the air and have it drop dead on the green.

Or am I wishing for to much ??

I would use a lob wedge and play a high flying flop shot.

I setup with the ball a bit forward of centre and my weight slightly favouring my back foot. Take the club back on a half to 3/4 swing with an early wrist cock, let your arms drop with a slow tempo that does not deaccelerate while keeping your hands passive through the shot, hit into the back of the ball and make a high follow through, imagine you are trying to hit the ball back over your head to land behind you.

DO NOT give in on the shot or you will thin it, as mentioned previously do not look up through the shot. If you are close to the target and wish to make a shorter high shot then open the clubface to create additional loft, aim your feet slightly left of target and hit down the line of your feet with a shorter swing. The ball should gain height and land softly with little roll.

Oh, I nearly forgot! Try it on the practice green first.

Cheers
Brian

[Norman Bates]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

I would use a lob wedge and play a high flying flop shot.

I setup with the ball a bit forward of centre and my weight slightly favouring my back foot. Take the club back on a half to 3/4 swing with an early wrist cock, let your arms drop with a slow tempo that does not deaccelerate while keeping your hands passive through the shot, hit into the back of the ball and make a high follow through, imagine you are trying to hit the ball back over your head to land behind you.

DO NOT give in on the shot or you will thin it, as mentioned previously do not look up through the shot. If you are close to the target and wish to make a shorter high shot then open the clubface to create additional loft, aim your feet slightly left of target and hit down the line of your feet with a shorter swing. The ball should gain height and land softly with little roll.

Oh, I nearly forgot! Try it on the practice green first.

Cheers
Brian

Isn't this like you should play out of a bunker too ?

Should I try to make a divot ?

[BrianW]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Isn't this like you should play out of a bunker too ?

Should I try to make a divot ?

Hi Norman,

Yes, it is very similar to a splash shot from a bunker

[vp27519]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

Hi Norman,

I've been taught to take the club back low when the ball's lie is on hard pact ground. This will help prevent the club bouncing from the ground and hitting the top of the ball.

I only use wedges when the lie is good Norman but if there is a hazard between you and the green, play the shot for a good miss, ie, passed the hazard. Best to be long than short in that instance.

If there are no hazards between you and the flag I'd be inclined to use another club such as a 7, 8, or 9.

The short game is the only shot one needs to see the club face hit the ball. Trust your club Norman and be decisive.

VP

[shootin4par]

Re: chipping on very hard soil: topping every time

what ever you do dont use a sand wedge, the bounce will make this shout much more difficult, go with gap, pitch or lob, but not sand as it generally has the most bounce in all your clubs
and you have to be relaxed or you may yip this shot and that is why you pull up. step up to the shot and say to yourself. I am going to try and do this with this shot, run through the shot in your head, and if I dont accomplish this I am going to accept the consequences