A Drill to Develop Distance Control on Chip Shots

The quickest way to lower your handicap is improving your short game. An accurate chip that rolls close to the hole can result in a one putt and avoid potential two or three putts.

Aiming the ball on short shots is simple. It’s distance control that requires development. Here is a simple drill that will improve your proficiency on chip shots around the green.

Purpose: Improve distance control on chips from 30 yards and closer to the flagstick.

What you need: Your choice of wedge, golf balls, six clubs (or markers/cones), 30 yards of grass.

Setup: Drop your golf balls and wedge in the hitting area. Lay a golf club on the ground (horizontally) five yards in front of your hitting area. Place the remaining five clubs in five-yard increments directly behind the first club. The final club should be 30 yards away from your ball.

Exercise: Try to chip a ball that lands between the first and second club. Once that is achieved, go to the next set and land a ball between the second and third club. Continue this sequence until you’ve reached the fifth and sixth club.

Once each set is completed, repeat the sequence in reverse. Land a ball between the fifth and sixth clubs, fourth and fifth and so on, finishing with a shot that lands between the first and second club.

Make this a game where you’re competing with yourself or a partner. Keep track of your strokes throughout the exercise for a total number of shots. Try to lower that number each time you practice.

Result: This drill will help you develop touch and improve your short distance control. Chip shots that finish close to the hole will yield more pars and reduce bogies or higher.

NJM, a leading property and casualty insurer in the Mid–Atlantic region, is proud to partner with the golf community. Contact your agent or broker, visit njm.com/njsga, or call 833–859–1920.