Golfers often have trouble with two specific swings: pitching and chipping. Many people don’t know the difference between the two, or which one is better. In this article, we will discuss the differences between pitching and chipping, as well as give you some tips on how to improve your skills with both swings.
Table of Contents
The Main Differences Between Chipping vs Pitching
The main difference between pitching and chipping is the height of the shot. When you pitch a golf ball, you are trying to hit it high into the air, so that it will land softly on the green and roll towards the hole. When you chip a golf ball, you are trying to hit it low to the ground, so that it will run along the ground and stop near the hole.
Ball Flight
Pitching and chipping are two very different shots in golf, each with their own unique ball flight. When you pitch the ball, it will have a high trajectory and will land softly on the green. Chipping, on the other hand, is a much lower shot that rolls along the ground after impact.
So which shot is better? It really depends on the situation.
Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule. Sometimes you might need to chip when you’re close to the green, or pitch when you’re further away. It all depends on the lie of the land and the wind conditions.
Roll
The main difference between pitching and chipping is the amount of roll you get after the ball hits the ground. Pitching produces more roll than chipping because you’re hitting the ball with a higher lofted club, which gives the ball more backspin. Chipping produces less roll because you’re using a lower lofted club, which gives the ball less backspin.
So, which is better? It depends on the situation. If you’re close to the green and don’t need much roll, then chipping is the better option. If you’re further away from the green and need more roll, then pitching is the better option.
Here’s a tip: if you’re not sure which shot to hit, always err on the side of chipping. It’s easier to control and you’ll be less likely to hit the ball too far.[1]
Golf Clubs
Pitching and chipping are two different short game shots in golf. Pitching is used to hit the ball a longer distance, while chipping is used to hit the ball a shorter distance. Both shots can be used to get the ball close to the hole, but they require different golf clubs.
Pitching requires a pitching wedge, which has more loft than a standard club. This loft allows the ball to travel a longer distance. Chipping requires a less lofted club, such as an iron or a putter. This shot is used to keep the ball low and travel a shorter distance. [2]
Ball Position
Most of the time, you will want to keep the ball in the same position for both pitching and chipping. For a standard chip shot, place the ball slightly forward of center in your stance. For a pitch shot, place the ball in the center or just behind center. The main exception to this rule is when you are hitting down on the ball, which you will do more often with a pitch shot than a chip shot. When hitting down on the ball, you will want to place the ball slightly forward of center.
Weight
When you pitch, you want to keep your weight forward so that the club can strike the ball and then roll up onto your front foot. Chipping is a bit different. You actually want to transfer your weight back behind the ball at impact. This will help you get under the ball and loft it up into the air.
There are a few different ways that you can do this. You can either keep your weight on your back foot throughout the entire swing, or you can start with your weight on your front foot and then shift it back as you make impact. Experiment with both methods and see which one works better for you.
Forearm Rotation and Wrist Hinging
The main difference between a pitch and a chip is the forearm rotation and wrist hinging. In a pitch, both the forearm and wrist rotate through impact, whereas in a chip shot, only the wrist rotates. The amount of forearm rotation will vary from golfer to golfer depending on their individual swing mechanics, but generally speaking, there should be more forearm rotation in a pitch than in a chip.
A chip shot, on the other hand, is more of a wristy motion where the clubface stays square to the target through impact. This produces a lower, shorter ball flight that doesn’t go as far off-line if you miss it. [1]
The Similarities Between Chipping and Pitching
Chipping and pitching in golf share some similarities.
Short Game Shots
They are both considered short game shots, meaning they are used when the golf ball is close to the green and the hole.
This is because it is easier to control the ball and make it go where you want it to go when it’s not traveling as far.
Both chipping and pitching also share a similar motion.
You swing the club back and then bring it forwards, hitting the ball with an upward motion.
Wedges Are Used For Both Shots
While you can use different clubs for each shot, most golfers will use a wedge.
This is because wedges are specifically designed for these types of shots.
The pitching wedge is the most common and is used for both chipping and pitching.
The gap wedge is used for longer shots where you need more distance, while the sand wedge is used to hit balls out of bunkers.
When it comes to which shot is better, it really depends on the situation.
Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, if you are close to the green but there is a lot of rough, then pitching might be the better option as it’s easier to control the ball.
However, if you are close to the green but there is a bunker in front of you, then chipping might be the better option as it’s easier to get the ball out of the sand. [3]
How to hit a chip shot?
There are two main ways to hit a chip shot: either using a normal golf swing or by making what’s called a ‘bump and run.’
The ‘bump and run’ is the most popular method as it’s relatively simple and easy to execute. It involves taking a longer club (like your pitching wedge) and making a big backswing before coming down steeply on the ball and ‘bumping’ it forward. This shot is all about timing as you need to make sure you hit the ball before the club reaches the ground.
To hit a chip shot using a normal golf swing, simply take a shorter club (like an eight or nine iron) and make a normal backswing. These types of shots are often referred to as ‘pitch and run’ as they involve pitching the ball up in the air and then letting it ‘run’ out towards the hole. The key with these shots is to make sure you get plenty of loft on the club so that the ball pops up into the air nice and high. [4]
How to hit a pitch shot?
Pitching is a shot that goes relatively high in the air and doesn’t roll much after landing. It’s usually used when you have some green to work with, but there’s also a lot of undulation or elevation change around the hole.
To hit a pitch shot, use an iron (or sometimes a hybrid) and take a slightly longer backswing than you would for a chip shot. As you swing down, release the clubhead so it sweeps under the ball. The ball will pop up into the air and land softly on the green.
Pitching is a great way to get close to the hole when you have some room to work with. However, if you don’t have a lot of green to work with, or there’s water or other hazards nearby, you’ll need to use a chip shot. [5]
FAQ
Is it better to chip or pitch?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the situation. If you are close to the hole and need accuracy, then pitching is probably your best option. If you are further away and need more distance, then chipping is probably your best bet.
Pitching vs chipping also depends on the lie of your ball. If your ball is sitting up nicely, then you can make a good shot by pitching it. If the lie is bad and the ball is sitting down in the rough, then you might be better off chipping.
What does chipping mean in golf?
Chipping in golf is a shot where you hit the ball a short distance in the air and let it roll along the ground. It is usually used when you are close to the green but not close enough to putt. Chipping is often considered easier than pitching because you don’t have to control the height of your shot as much.
At what distance does a chip become a pitch?
The general rule of thumb is that a pitch shot is taken when the ball is more than 20 yards away from the hole, while anything inside 20 yards is considered a chip. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule depending on the line of the ball, the wind conditions, and other factors.
One important thing to remember is that a pitch shot requires more loft than a chip shot. This is because you need to hit the ball higher in order to make it travel a longer distance. The best way to think of it is that a pitch shot is like a mini-version of your tee shot, while a chip shot is more like a putt.
Can you chip with a pitching wedge?
Both shots can be executed with any club, but pitching wedges and sand wedges are typically the best clubs for pitching and chipping, respectively.
So, can you chip with a pitching wedge? The answer is yes, but it’s not ideal. Pitching wedges are designed for higher trajectories and more spin, which is why they are not the best choice for chips shots. If you must chip with a pitching wedge, make sure to use a light grip and take a shallow divot.
Which wedge is best for chipping?
The best wedge for chipping is the pitching wedge. The pitching wedge has a flatter face than the other wedges, making it easier to hit the ball squarely. It also has less loft, which makes it easier to control your shot.
If you’re just starting out, or if you’re not sure which wedge to use, the pitching wedge is a good choice.
What is the easiest wedge to hit?
The easiest wedge to hit is the pitching wedge. The pitching wedge has a flatter face than the other wedges, making it easier to hit the ball squarely. It also has less loft, which makes it easier to control your shot.
If you’re just starting out, or if you’re not sure which wedge to use, the pitching wedge is a good choice.
There are other wedges that can be used for chipping, such as the sand wedge or lob wedge. But these wedges are more difficult to hit and require more practice. If you’re just starting out, stick with the pitching wedge.
Should you chip with a sand wedge?
Chipping with a sand wedge is a great option if you have a lot of green to work with. The added loft on the club will help get the ball up and down more quickly, and the wide sole will prevent the club from digging into the turf.
However, chipping with a sand wedge can be more difficult than using a pitching wedge or other club. The wide sole can make it difficult to control the shot, and the added loft can make it harder to stop the ball on the green. If you are new to golf, or if you have trouble controlling your shots, you may want to avoid using a sand wedge.
Useful Video: Chipping Vs Pitching
Conclusion
Pitching and chipping are two very different shots in golf. Pitching is used to hit the ball a longer distance, while chipping is used to hit the ball a shorter distance. Both shots have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it really depends on the situation which one you should use. In general, pitching is better for hitting the ball a longer distance, while chipping is better for hitting the ball a shorter distance. Thanks for reading!
References:
- https://golfworkoutprogram.com/chipping-vs-pitching/
- https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/difference-between-pitch-chip-shot-7123.html
- http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-chip-and-pitch/
- https://swingtrainer.com/blogs/instruction/chipping-vs-pitching
- https://theleftrough.com/chipping-vs-pitching/