This is the second entry in the GOTM Practice Series. The goal of all the entries in this series is to not only to describe practice drills, but also make sure you know how to practice with the right mental attitude, something just as important as the physical act.

Make Five Chips

How

This is probably going to be the easiest drill to explain. By chipping 4 balls in the same group, and not hitting the same chip twice in a row, you need to make 5 chips before you leave.

Now as for which 5 shots to make, that’s up to you. Considering how some chipping greens are built (with giant slopes, etc.), making 5 long chip shots isn’t the easiest. The way I approach it is by moving all around the greens hitting different at the beginning. If I find the specific green difficult, or I haven’t made any in a while, I’ll move to the simple, uphill shots from the fringe. There’s no harm in counting those little shots as makes, since you’re concentrating on making the shot just the same, but try not to start your chipping session with those.

What to Focus On

Chipping practice can get boring. It’s easy to fall into that trap of just hitting balls in the vicinity of the hole. Excuses range from “I’m just trying to get a feel for the greens” and “I’m just testing the rough to see how thick it is”. Don’t fall into that trap of complacency! No matter what people say, the ultimate goal of chipping is actually making the shot.

Variations

Since I’ve already covered where to hit shots from (and how it really doesn’t matter as long as you’re concentrating on making it), the only variation of this is increasing or decreasing the number you need to make to be finished. The key with this though it to come into a practice session with this number in mind and stick to it. If you’re getting frustrated, pick the easiest chip on the green and hit that over and over until you get to that number. Completion is key.