Golf Tip: Chip and count

Instructor:

Watching the ball until it comes to a rest is a great learning experience, but too few amateurs take the time to do it. Be patient.

Short chips and 4-foot putts tend to be difficult for golfers because of the perceived severity of the consequences of a miss. Golfers tell themselves, I shouldn’t miss a 4-footer; I should get my chips and pitches really close. When that doesn’t happen, they beat themselves up, adding to the struggles.

I want you to become a patient chipper. You can do this by chipping and counting.

Hit a chip shot, and as the ball travels toward its final destination, I want you to count how many seconds it takes the ball to come to rest. This will bring you to the realization that you can’t get an immediate result.

When I see people chop and stab at their chip shots, they’re trying for the immediate result — the ball close to the hole, right now.

Chip the best you can, then stand there patiently counting as the ball rolls, rolls, rolls and comes to a stop. Take that time as an opportunity to learn.

Charlie King is the Director of Instruction at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.